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

• Bourree

• La Paix

• La Rejouissance

• 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.