Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer Concert Review — An Enchanting Evening at Sunder Nursery
Abheet Gupta 
Some musical experiences remind you why film scores are just as powerful as the films they accompany. The Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer concert at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, was one such evening. Organised by Live Your City by Fever, this open-air classical tribute brought together iconic cinematic scores, hundreds of glowing candles, and three talented musicians who managed to recreate the magic of some of cinema’s greatest compositions.
From Gladiator and Inception to Interstellar and Pirates of the Caribbean, the evening was packed with music that has stayed with us long after the credits rolled. There were even a couple of delightful surprises from other legendary composers. For cinephiles and music lovers, this is an experience I would wholeheartedly recommend trying at least once. And the fact that just three musicians i.e., a pianist, a violinist, and a cellist, managed to do justice to such monumental compositions made the evening all the more special. So, without further ado, let’s get into the details.
Setting, Ambience and Atmosphere
Held in the open air at Sunder Nursery on Friday, October 9, the concert was relatively easy to locate. However, visitors should note that entry to Sunder Nursery requires a separate ticket, costing approximately ₹50/- at the time of my visit, in addition to the concert ticket. Concert tickets started at ₹1,799 and went up to ₹5,999 for VIP seating. The VIP package included front-row premium seats, priority entry, an artist meet-and-greet, and a professionally taken Candlelight photograph. Is it worth the price? That is subjective and ultimately depends on how much you value live music, cinema and the experience itself.
Fortunately, the weather was on our side. A pleasant evening and a gentle breeze made the open-air setting all the more inviting. With hundreds of artificial, battery-powered candles illuminating the venue, the stage looked absolutely beautiful. While the candles weren’t real, they created the desired ambience, and visitors couldn’t resist taking photographs before and after the performance. The audience was equally considerate, with no disruptive behaviour or a sea of mobile flashes ruining the experience. Seating consisted of cushions placed on the natural steps surrounding the amphi-theatre. Don’t expect luxurious recliners; the idea here is to enjoy the performance while being immersed in the surroundings. Now, with the setting, lighting and atmosphere doing their part, it was time for the real attraction: the music.
The Music: A Tribute to Hans Zimmer and Beyond
Lasting just over 60 minutes, the concert was led by pianist Krishna (@pianowithkrishna), who revealed that what was originally planned as a solo performance became a trio at his request to the organisers. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that decision as the addition of a violin and cello elevated the experience from wonderful to genuinely magical. We are accustomed to watching videos of Hans Zimmer perform with enormous ensembles and orchestras. Here, just three musicians took on the challenge of recreating the grandeur of compositions originally built around layers of orchestral instruments, synthesizers, percussion and vocals. Remarkably, they delivered.
The concert opened with my personal favourite, “Now We Are Free” (Gladiator) and I thought the evening had already peaked, but the music kept finding new ways to surprise me. The following pieces included “Oogway Ascends” (Kung Fu Panda), “This Land” (The Lion King), “Chevaliers de Sangreal” (The Da Vinci Code), “Time” (Inception), “Paul’s Dream” (Dune), and “Day One” (Interstellar). While “Chevaliers de Sangreal” received some of the loudest applause, “Time” and “Day One” inspired plenty of audience recordings. My personal favourite, however, was “Paul’s Dream”. Recreating its dense, percussion heavy, atmospheric sound and vocal textures with such a modest arrangement was no small feat. The trio deserves enormous credit for pulling it off.
Together, the selections offered a wonderful roller coaster of nostalgia, melancholy and epic cinematic grandeur. But the biggest surprise of the evening came with “Divenere” by Ludovico Einaudi (introduced by Krishna as his greatest inspiration). The performance received tremendous applause, as did the beautiful “Theme from Schindler’s List” by the legendary John Williams. The concert concluded with a Pirates of the Caribbean suite featuring an energetic combination of “He’s a Pirate”, “One Day” and “Jack Sparrow”. It was a fitting finale to an evening filled with music that I have grown up listening to, and even using these very compositions as my ringtones and alarms.
If I could add a few tracks to the setlist, they would be “Lost But Won” (Rush), the Dark Knight suite, and “Flight” (Man of Steel). However, given how percussion-heavy these compositions are, I can understand why they weren’t priorities for this particular arrangement. My only real complaint? Why did it have to end? As the final notes faded, much of the audience seemed reluctant to leave, with requests for just one more track. Unfortunately, there was no encore and fortunately, the musicians knew when to leave the audience wanting more.
Final Verdict: Go Solo or Take A Date
Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer was a beautiful reminder of the emotional power of film music. The atmospheric setting, thoughtful track selection and exceptional work by three musicians made for an evening that felt intimate despite the monumental compositions being performed. While the ticket prices may not suit everyone, cinephiles and soundtrack enthusiasts who value live musical experiences should seriously consider attending a Candlelight concert.
You don’t need a hundred-piece orchestra to feel the grandeur of Hans Zimmer’s music; sometimes, three talented musicians and a thousand glowing candles are enough. A wholehearted recommendation for film-score enthusiasts. If you get the opportunity to attend one of these concerts, don’t miss it. And while it would be quite magical even if you go alone, it would further amplify if you’re out on a date!
A small practical tip: Since the concert takes place outdoors, carry a mosquito-repellent cream or ointment. The gentle breeze and beautiful music are wonderful, but mosquitoes can be rather persistent audience members!
If you have any questions regarding the event or what to know more about such events in Delhi NCR, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more updates, stay tuned and stay HIGH ON CINEMA!
