Music for the Royal Fireworks

SKU: CF.FAS134F

ISBN 9781491165171. UPC: 680160924080. Key: D major.

George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) is a German composer whose musical legacy has lasted over three hundred years. While most people know his Hallelujah Chorus from the oratorio The Messiah, many of his other compositions are still performed around the world, including La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks Suite. The suite was commissioned by King George of England to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapel. King George said he wanted only wind and percussion instruments, specifically requesting “no fiddles.” 12,000 people attended the dress rehearsal of the concert. In contrast, the actual performance happened in the rain, which meant many of the fireworks did light, but managed to set the immense pavilion on fire. Handel later added strings to the Royal Fireworks Suite for a charity performance for The Foundling Hospital of London.For young students, the character of Handel’s music is defined by the types of bow strokes. Quarter notes should be played with a detached bow stroke with a hint of an accent. Eighth notes may be played more connected but will sound best with a slight detachè stroke. If more advanced students join the performance, a minimized vibrato is typical of music from the Baroque era. Terraced dynamics may be practiced by stopping just before the dynamic change and adjusting the weight of the bow arm, then proceeding in the new dynamic such as in measures 37-39.