Contents
These two pieces are Handel’s most famous orchestral works. They are both full of energy, drama, and beautiful melodies.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks are two of the most well-known works by George Frideric Handel. Both are suites of orchestrated pieces, and each has become a staple in the repertoire of classical music.
Water Music was composed in 1717 for a series of outdoor concerts on the River Thames. The work is divided into three suites, each containing a variety of dances and other pieces. The first suite is in five movements, the second in four, and the third in three. The total running time is about 25 minutes.
Music for the Royal Fireworks was composed in 1749 for a grand celebration at London’s Vauxhall Gardens marking the end of the War of Austrian Succession. The work consists of two suites, each containing several movements. The first suite is in eight movements, while the second is in six. The total running time is approximately 30 minutes.
The Best-known Suites
Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks, two of the best-known suites by George Frideric Handel, will be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra this weekend.
Water Music, composed in 1717 at the request of King George I, is a collection of three movements written for a large orchestra. It is often performed outdoors, as it was for the king’s pleasure boat ride on the River Thames.
Music for the Royal Fireworks, written in 1749 to celebrate the end of the War of Austrian Succession, is a five-movement work scored for drums, trumpets and strings. It was first performed in London’s Green Park with a fireworks display.
Both Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks are staples of the orchestral repertoire and are sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Water Music
Water Music is a composition by George Frederic Händel. It is scored for a large orchestra including strings, flutes, oboes, brass, and timpani. The work consists of three suites of baroque dances which were composed for outdoor performance at the pleasure gardens at Hampton Court Palace on the River Thames.
The first suite of Water Music is in F major and includes the well-known processional horns tune. The second suite is in D major and the third suite is in G major. Each suite consists of four or five movements, some of which are marked as fast or slow.
The first performance of Water Music took place on 17th July 1717 and is said to have been very well received by King George I who ordered it to be repeated at least three times.
Music for the Royal Fireworks
Music for the Royal Fireworks (HWV 351) is a suite of pieces composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749 under contract of George II of Great Britain for the fireworks in London’sGreen Park on 27 April 1749. It was to celebrate the end of the War of Austrian Succession and commemorates the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, or, as it was known in Britain, the Treaty of peace at Aix-la-Chapelle.
The Influence of the Suites
The Suites for orchestra by George Frideric Handel are his best-known works. They were written shortly after he settled in London in 1712, and quickly became enormously popular. The first Suite, in F major, was composed in 1717 for the opera house at Cannons, where Handel was working at the time. It consisted of eight dances: an Ouverture, two Allemandes, a Courante, two Sarabandes and two Hornpipes. The movements were all in triple time and all but one were in F major.
The second Suite, in D minor, was composed in 1718 for the King’s Theatre. It consisted of six dances: an Ouverture, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and two Gavottes. The key signature of D minor indicated that it was a serious work, intended for concert performance rather than dancing.
The third Suite, in G major, was composed in 1720 for the Royal Academy of Music. It consisted of four movements: an Ouverture, Allemande, Courante andAir. The Air was originally written for a solo flute or violin; when it was later arranged for orchestra, the solo part was taken by the first flute or violin.
These three Suites were published together in 1721 under the title “Water Music”. They quickly became extremely popular, and were frequently performed at royal occasions. In 1749, Handel arranged them for teams of two oboes and bassoon (the so-called “Wind Band”), which he had used occasionally in his operas. This version became even more popular than the original orchestral version.
In 1749 Handel also wrote Music for the Royal Fireworks to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (now known as Aachen). This work consists of two suites: one “For Several Instruments”, which could be played by a small orchestra; and one “For the Royal Fireworks”, which required a large number of players and instruments (including trumpets and drums). Both suites make use of popular tunes of the day; they are lively and entertaining works which are still popular today.
The Legacy of the Suites
George Frideric Handel’s “Water Music” and “Music for the Royal Fireworks” are among the most popular and best-known of all classical pieces. These two suites, written for outdoor performance, have been enjoyed by audiences for centuries and continue to be among the most frequently performed works in the classical repertoire.
Both suites make use of traditional dance forms such as the minuet and the bourree, and both are scored for large orchestras. The “Water Music” suite is comprised of three parts, each of which was designed to be played during a different section of a royal river barge cruise. The first part is intended for performance while the barge is moving upstream, the second when it is moored in midstream, and the third on the return journey downstream.
The “Music for the Royal Fireworks” was written to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, which ended the War of Austrian Succession. The work was first performed in London’s Green Park on April 27, 1749, before an audience of over 20,000 people. The huge crowd proved to be too much for the small orchestra thatHandel had at his disposal, and so the premiere was something of a disaster.
Despite its rocky start, this suite has gone on to become one of Handel’s most beloved works. Today it is commonly performed outdoors on Independence Day in America and on Guy Fawkes Night in England.
The Significance of the Suites
George Frideric Handel’s “Water Music” and “Music for the Royal Fireworks” are two of the most famous suites of the Baroque era. They are both highly regarded for their musicality and their historical significance.
The “Water Music” suite was composed in 1717 for a royal barge trip down the River Thames. The piece was an instant success and was quickly adapted for performance by land-based orchestras. The suite is significant both for its light, catchy tunes and for its use of novel orchestration, including a wide range of winds and brass instruments.
The “Music for the Royal Fireworks” was composed in 1749 to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including a record number of players for its time. It is notable for its use of grandiose chords and patriotic themes.
Both suites remain popular today and are regularly performed by orchestras around the world.
The Popularity of the Suites
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the most popular type of classical music was the suite. A suite was a collection of dances, usually in the same key, that were played in a specific order. The most famous suites were written for orchestras, but they were also written for other instruments, such as violin and piano.
The popularity of the suites can be explained by the fact that they were easy to listen to and easy to dance to. In addition, the suites were often based on folk tunes or popular songs, which made them even more appealing to audiences.
Two of the most famous suites of all time are Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. Water Music was written by George Frideric Handel in 1717 for a royal outdoor concert on the River Thames. The piece was so popular that it was played three times during the concert! Music for the Royal Fireworks was written by Handel in 1749 for a royal celebration in London. The piece includes some of Handel’s most famous tunes, such as “The British Grenadiers” and “Rule, Britannia.”
The Uniqueness of the Suites
Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks are perhaps the best-known suites by George Frideric Handel. These works are unique in several ways.
First, they are among the few vocal works by Handel that have come down to us. Both were written for special occasions – Water Music for the Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Hampton Court in 1717, and Music for the Royal Fireworks for the celebration of peace in 1749 – and both were subsequently performed many times.
Second, these works are also unique in their instrumentation. Water Music is scored for a large orchestra including strings, winds, brass, and percussion, while Music for the Royal Fireworks uses an even larger ensemble with added oboes and bassoons.
Third, both works make use of nationalistic elements. In Water Music, Handel includes several English folk tunes, while in Music for the Royal Fireworks he incorporates French and Italian dances into his own composition.
Finally, these suites are unusual in their length. Water Music consists of over three hours of music divided into three parts, while Music for the Royal Fireworks is nearly an hour long.
The Significance of the Composers
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born Baroque composer who spent most of his career in London, where he wrote some of his finest works. His best-known works include the oratorio Messiah, the opera Julius Caesar, and the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks suites.
Paul Dukas (1865-1935) was a French composer best known for his work The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. He was an influential figure in the early 20th century, and his music is noted for its inventive harmony and quirky rhymes.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47) was a German composer, conductor, and pianist. He is best known for his orchestral suite A Midsummer Night’s Dream and his overture to Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. He also wrote music for the popular children’s story The Ugly Duckling.
