Music For Royal Fireworks

Music for Royal Fireworks As the title suggests the music was to be played during a fireworks display in London's Green Park to celebrate the signing of the Peace treaty of Aix-la Chapelle. Handel was commissioned to compose this piece of music by King George II. The event however was remembered by the fire which was started by some stray fireworks rather than Handel's music. The piece was an orchestral suite which was made up of 5 movements:•

Overture

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Bourree

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La Paix

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La Rejouissance

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Minuet and Trio

It was originally composed for 40 trumpets, 20 horns, 16 oboes, 16 bassoons, 8 pairs of kettle drums,12 side drums, flutes and fifes. This would have been a huge ensemble with a very big impressive sound, however Handel decided to reduce it to 9 trumpets 9 horns 24 oboes 12 bassoons, 3 pairs of kettledrums and a side drum for the actual performance. Later he performed the piece in a concert hall so he had to reduce the woodwind instruments and added strings to suit the Hall.

TASK 1 Listen to La Rejouissance and decide what instruments are used in this recording

TASK 2 Below is the melody from La Rejouissance. Listen to the piece again and follow the music. Then look out for the musical features which appear in the box in Task 1.