GRADE 4
One of the most famous compositions of Georg Frederic Handel (1685-1759) is his Music for the Royal Fireworks. As the continental war drew to a close in 1748-9, the people in Britain rejoiced. The official celebrations, including a huge fireworks display, were held in the spring of 1749. Handel was asked to write some music for the occasion. Because of the grand scale of the occasion and the fact the musicians were playing outside he selected a large all wind ensemble consisting of 9 trumpets, 3 timpani, 9 horns, 24 oboes and 12 bassoons. A month after the premiere, Handel decided to add string parts and reduce the wind parts to the normal orchestral numbers of the era.
The trumpets part are fairly close to the original trumpet lines however there is the odd time when the Trumpet 1 line steals from the original oboe or string parts and occasionally the Trumpet 2 part contains the third of the chords rather than the originally notated fifth.
All dynamics, articulations and ornaments are added by the arranger and may be omitted or altered to suit the performers.
This edition is in C concert. For performance in B-flat, please order BQ16434.