If you are looking for an unforgettable, captivating, multi-sensory live musical experience then why not get yourself a ticket for a Candlelit Concert.
St Andrew’s Church in Westland Row was transformed into an enchanting, magical setting amid hundreds of glowing candles (all LED) on the altar and down each of the rows of pews that evoked a peaceful, intimate ambience. Combined with the Gothic revival architectural style of St Andrew’s, it gave off a serene, almost personal feel due to the gentle illumination of the flickering candles alone inside the church.
You could’ve heard a pin drop with the complete silence sitting in this blessed, sacred setting that boasted a full audience. The altar was so picturesque that a few selfies were called for (lol) beforehand and afterwards, but phones had to be powered off or put on silent during the performance, with no recording of any of the concert permitted until the last song. By then I was so immersed and deeply moved by the haunting notes of the violin that I forgot all about my phone, so it definitely encourages focused listening and has some sort of mindfulness impact also.
Castle String Quartet played an astounding tribute to Hans Zimmer, a renowned German-born American film score composer and music producer who has composed music for over 150 films, so we were all treated to a 60 minute arrangement of music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, Interstellar, Batman, Wonder Woman, Gladiator, Inception, among others. The talented quartet played with so much poise and were absolutely amazing, the whole evening was a complete switch off from all the Dublin noisy traffic outside and it was like being transported to another world, reminding us of the power of music, how it touches the soul and how meditative and emotional it can be while also creating wonderful memories.
St Andrew’s Church is a beautiful Roman Catholic Church that was opened for public worship in 1834. The parish of St Andrew’s dates back to 1150 when it was situated just outside the Dublin City wall on a site believed to be that of the Danish temple of Thor and Fregjja. The church draws inspiration from mediaeval Gothic architecture with its pointed arches, intricate stone tracery in windows, ribbed vaults and the elegance associated with the soaring spire and very detailed stonework.
Castle String Quartet are a diverse group of string players who are based in Dublin. After years of performing together they have amassed a large repertoire and a huge following. They cover all the usual classical composers Bach, Vivaldi, soundtracks from all the major movies and musicals as well as Irish trad, fun-time waltzes, jazz, polkas and much more. They have worked with many artists including U2, The Frames, The Coors and Glen Hansard, while internationally they have performed with Michael Buble, Josh Groban and Kanye West while touring the globe in some of the world’s most prestigious concert venues.
I recommend wearing a warm coat as the church was a bit chilly in the evening time and if your backside can’t hack sitting on the wooden seats for very long, then a soft cushion is your best friend!
To find out more information about a Candlelit Concert in Dublin check out the website Candlelight Concerts in Dublin Tickets 2024 – Fever
