The document discusses Leonard Bernstein's overture to his operetta "Candide", which premiered in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire. While the operetta itself was not very successful, the overture became instantly popular. Bernstein was a famous American conductor and composer who conducted many major orchestras. The overture utilizes syncopation and hemiola rhythmic techniques that characterize its lively musical style.

1. Leonard
Bernstein
Overture to ‘Candide’

2. EXPLORE

3. EXPLORE
Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered
in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759

4. EXPLORE
Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered
in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759
Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and
whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant
success

5. EXPLORE
Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered
in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759
Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and
whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant
success
It is Bernstein’s most popular orchestral work

6. EXPLORE
Candide is an operetta (a light, comic opera) premiered
in 1956 based on a novel by Voltaire from 1759
Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) wrote the music and
whilst the show was a flop, the overture was an instant
success
It is Bernstein’s most popular orchestral work
He was a conductor as well as a composer and
conducted some of the world’s greatest orchestras

7. EXPERIENCE

8. EXPERIENCE
Listen to Bernstein conducting the New York
Philharmonic on this recording of the Overture to
Candide

9. EXPERIENCE
Listen to Bernstein conducting the New York
Philharmonic on this recording of the Overture to
Candide
If we look closely at the beginning of the overture
we will see and hear two musical effects that
feature prominently throughout the piece:

10. SYNCOPATION
In this example you can see how Bernstein has moved the
strong beat of the bar in the bass line parts to the last beat of
the bar and tied the note across the bar line creating a very
jazzy feel. This sets the character for the whole piece:
Click here to listen:

11. HEMIOLA
Bernstein uses this rhythmic device a lot to make the music
sound as if it has changed from triple time to duple time. It
happens very quickly as in the example below so be careful not
to miss it!
Click here to listen:
You can see and hear how the syncopation from the beginning
continues throughout this section.

12. RESPOND

13. RESPOND
What is an Overture?

14. RESPOND
What is an Overture?
The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s
call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the
structure.

15. RESPOND
What is an Overture?
The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s
call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the
structure.
Which musical form is this structure?

16. RESPOND
What is an Overture?
The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s
call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the
structure.
Which musical form is this structure?
Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in
character. Which two words could you use to describe
their characters?

17. RESPOND
What is an Overture?
The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s
call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the
structure.
Which musical form is this structure?
Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in
character. Which two words could you use to describe
their characters?
Section B has two time signatures which alternate every
other bar – what are they?

18. RESPOND
What is an Overture?
The music of four songs is used in the overture. Let’s
call them A, B, C and D – listen again and write down the
structure.
Which musical form is this structure?
Compare sections A and B – they are opposite in
character. Which two words could you use to describe
their characters?
Section B has two time signatures which alternate every
other bar – what are they?
What words or phrases could you use to describe this
music and the picture it paints?