Georg Friedrich Händel

Music for the Royal Fire Works

The 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' (HWV 351) is a suite for wind instruments composed by Georg Friederich Händel in 1749 under contract of George II of Great Britain for the fireworks in London's Green Park on 27 April 1749. The music celebrates the end of the 'War of the Austrian Succession' and the signing of the 'Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle' in Aachen in 1748. The work was very popular when first performed and following Handel's death. Mozart called the work a 'spectacle of English pride and joy'. 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' opens with a 'French overture' and includes a 'bourrée' and two 'minuets'. The 'Overture' (Adagio - Allegro - Lentement - Allegro) is the most well known part of the suite and now transcribed for a Clarinet Choir by Dutch arranger Gerhart Drijvers.