classical compositions of our time and delighted the public to become a favorite opener in symphony concerts. (Gradenwitz 1987: 183)The Candide Overture is one of the most light-hearted pieces Bernstein ever wrote. It introduces some of the vocal themes of the work and a characteristic of Bernstein, by using a motivic theme that becomes most of the melodic ideas in the entire work. The piece was written allegro molto con brio and starts off in a very lively and bubbly style to get people interested. The familiar motive, which is quickly introduced, gets passed between the brass and the woodwinds contributing significantly in each. The piece is a constant build up and has a drive in it toward something really big. The middle opens up a new flowing melody, which soon bursts into the recapitulation of the beginning of the piece, but is played in a shortened version. Then as the piece comes to an end, another melody is introduced, pushing that drive even more. The piece soon gets louder and faster and more involved as it builds and builds to a quick two chord ending with the first one being pianissimo and the second fortissimo.In 1958-1959, a concert version of Candide was performed by a touring ensemble in many American cities. Then in April 1959, Candide reached the London stage at the Saville Theater where audiences and critics were more accepting of the piece. John Thompson reported in the Daily Express, “This is an evening of high style. I feel sure Americans were wrong.” (Ewen 1960: 122)In 1973, a new version of Candide with a revised storyline appeared at the Chelsea Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. Harold Prince and Hugh Wheeler devised a new small-scale version that won the support of Lillian Hellman. She then withdrew her original adaptation of Voltaire from 1956, making it no longer available for performance. The young and lively cast and all around new musical direction helped make this production of Candi...
