by KJ
What better way to fall in love with autumn in New York City than by listening to classical music on a cool September night in Brooklyn? On September 26, I attended a Candlelight Concert Tribute to Queen, and nothing prepared me for how powerful their rock anthems would sound when performed by a string quartet surrounded by hundreds of glowing candles. (For this assignment, I will be sharing my experience attending concerts in New York City, focusing on this unique performance. In this paper, you will learn about the venue, the songs performed, the background information from my research, the musicians themselves, and my overall reaction to the event, hoping that by the end, you might feel inspired to experience something similar for yourself. )
The concert was performed by the Highline String Quartet, a group of passionate musicians known for bringing both classical and non-classical music to life. Their name comes from the High Line Park in New York City, which reflects their blend of tradition and modern culture. The members come from strong musical backgrounds and have trained at top schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth, Juilliard, and the Manhattan School of Music. Their performance created a unique experience by transforming Queen’s rock music into a softer, classical style, showing how art can reshape and reinterpret even the most iconic songs.
Even though I had been to a Candlelight concert in the past, every performance feels like a new experience, and this one was truly one of a kind. The location played a big role in that. The concert was held in a gorgeous church called Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Annunciation Church. The church felt like a hidden gem tucked into a quiet part of Brooklyn; small, charming, and unexpectedly beautiful. From the outside, it had that classic old-New-York look, with tall arched doors and matching arched windows that made it feel welcoming but still sacred. Inside, the arches continued everywhere you looked: the windows, the ceilings, the columns. Everything aligned in a clean, balanced way that naturally led your eyes straight to the front of the church, where a statue of the Virgin Mary stood. Candlelight Concerts are known for their signature candle displays, and this venue did not disappoint. Hundreds of candles lined the nave and decorated each pew, creating a warm atmosphere that felt both romantic and calming.
As soon as I arrived, the candlelight concert staff greeted me warmly and guided me through the entrance. I made my way to my seat front row, left side, close enough to see every detail of the performance space. Walking down the aisle, I passed an audience that ranged from people in their twenties to those in their sixties, all dressed elegantly, many in classic black. The church glowed softly with hundreds of candles, their warm light reflecting off the tall arches and wooden pews. I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. The gentle lighting, the quiet anticipation in the room, and the beauty of the space made me feel completely immersed in the moment and even more excited for the music that was about to begin.
At exactly 8:45 p.m., the performers emerged from the back of the church and walked slowly toward the front of the nave, their instruments held carefully as the room fell into a quiet hush. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for, the official start of the concert. Once they reached their seats, they introduced themselves as the Highline String Quartet. They went on to share their individual names, and although I couldn’t remember all four, one stood out: Jeff. He spoke with a calm, gentle voice that matched the peaceful glow of the candlelit room. He thanked us for being there and set a warm, welcoming tone for the evening.
Before beginning, they reminded us not to take photos or record during the performance. Jeff explained that there would be a designated moment at the end where we could film, as long as we turned off the flash on our phones. After giving those instructions, he smiled softly and invited us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the concert.
They opened the program with Somebody to Love, setting an emotional tone right from the start. From there, the quartet moved through pieces like Anthem of Freedom, I Want to Break Free, and a breathtaking arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody. They closed the night with high-energy classics, including Another One Bites the Dust and We Will Rock You, which brought the entire audience to life. Out of all the performances, the three that stood out to me the most were Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, and Another One Bites the Dust.
Every few songs, one of the musicians paused to speak to the audience, introducing the next theme, whether it was love, heartbreak, freedom, or drama. They even asked us if we had ever experienced those emotions ourselves, which made the performance feel surprisingly personal. Instead of simply watching them play for an hour, we were invited into the meaning behind each piece, creating a deeper connection between the music, the performers, and the audience.
I was especially interested in attending this concert because I had already watched the movie about Freddie Mercury’s life and Queen’s rise to fame. The film traces the band’s early days and builds up to their legendary performance at Wembley Stadium, while also diving into the more sensitive parts of Mercury’s personal journey, his AIDS diagnosis, questions surrounding his sexuality, the pressures of fame, substance use, and the cultural expectations he carried. All of this made the biographical drama incredibly powerful and emotional.
Beyond these intense themes, the film also highlights the love and heartbreak that inspired many of Queen’s songs. Hearing the Highline String Quartet perform these pieces live made me reflect on my own experiences. During the heartbreak-themed songs, I found myself drifting into old memories; moments that were painful at the time but now feel like important life lessons. Instead of sadness, I felt a sense of nostalgia, as if the music helped me revisit those parts of my past with more understanding and clarity.
Queen has many iconic songs that remain legendary today, but the one that stands out the most for me is Bohemian Rhapsody. I consider it one of Queen’s most famous and unique pieces because it brings together several completely different musical styles in one composition. It begins with an operatic introduction full of dramatic harmonies and layered vocals, then moves into a bold rock section with drums and electric guitar, and finally ends with a soft, emotional ballad.
Hearing this piece performed by the Highline String Quartet at the Candlelight Concert was an incredible experience. The violins, viola, and cello captured the emotional intensity of the original, but gave it a more delicate and classical sound. The warm glow of the candles made the music feel even more dramatic, intimate, and timeless, turning Bohemian Rhapsody into a moment I will always remember.
I enjoyed every musical performance delivered so beautifully by the Highline String Quartet. They made a clear effort to connect with the audience and make sure we were fully engaged throughout the concert. As I mentioned before, after every few songs, one of the musicians would speak to us, which helped maintain a warm and interactive atmosphere. For me, this interaction was important because it allowed us to connect with them on a deeper level rather than simply watching them play from a distance.
All four performers gave their absolute best to make each piece enjoyable for the audience. I could see their passion in the way they played each string instrument, with focus, emotion, and a strong commitment to honoring Queen’s music. Their expressions and body language showed just how invested they were in bringing every song to life and making sure each performance was truly satisfying for us. This is a concert I would love to attend again.
I am truly glad I chose to attend this concert because it allowed me to experience rock music through a completely different genre. It reminded me that art is constantly evolving and can be interpreted in countless ways to reach different audiences. That is what I love most about art, it is a creative form of communication that expresses ideas, emotions, and feelings, and it can still move people even when transformed into a new style. Listening to Queen’s rock songs reimagined as classical music was something I genuinely loved from beginning to end. It made me appreciate the power of art and how deeply it can connect with us. This was an experience worth having, and I would recommend it to others. I hope this review helps explain my thoughts and experience, and maybe even inspires someone else to try attending a Candlelight Concert themselves.
Works Cited
Bohemian Rhapsody. Directed by Bryan Singer, Nov. 2AD.
Kamiński, Karol. “The Evolution of Music: How Have the 70s Changed the Way We Play Music.” IDIOTEQ.com, 4 Nov. 2021, idioteq.com/the-evolution-of-music-how-have-the-70s-changed-the-way-we-play-music/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Mercury Songs Limited. “Freddie Mercury.” Freddiemercury.com, 2010, www.freddiemercury.com/en/biography .
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Queen | British Rock Group.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 10 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Queen-British-rock-group.
“The Most Sought-after Quartet in NYC for Weddings and Special Events.” Highline String Quartet • NYC • Wedding Musicians, 18 July 2024, www.highlinequartet.com/about/.
