Symphony Listening Program - Handel
- What
- Symphony Listening Program - Handel
- When
- 5/20/2025
Audio File
Daily scripts to use with students:
MONDAY: This week's feature is George Frideric Handel. The feature composition is Music for the Royal Fireworks.The third Monday in May is Victoria Day. That is the day we celebrate the birthday ofQueen Victoria of England. If Queen Victoria was still alive, she might ask a composer towrite special music to honour the occasion. About 250 years ago, King George I ofEngland asked Handel to compose music to celebrate peace between England and France.That is why Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks.
TUESDAY: This week's feature composer is George Frideric Handel.The feature composition is Music for the Royal Fireworks.Some of you may remember the fireworks displays that take place at special ceremonieslike World Fairs and the Olympics. These fireworks are accompanied by music composedespecially for the occasion. This is not a new idea. About 250 years ago, King George Iof England asked Handel to compose music to accompany a fireworks display thatcelebrated peace between England and France. That is why Handel composed Music forthe Royal Fireworks.
WEDNESDAY: This week's feature composer is George Frideric Handel.The feature composition is the Music for the Royal Fireworks.Composing music to accompany a fireworks display was a challenge for Handel. He hadto make sure the music was written so that it matched the gradual build-up of sound andlight. Handel solved his musical problem by writing music that was repeated by threedifferent instrument groups. The strings are like the first glittering sparklers; the windsare like the brilliant flare of the rockets; the brass are the big boom and blast of the finalmajestic display.
THURSDAY: This week's feature composition is the Music for the Royal Fireworks. Do you rememberthe name of the composer? If you are thinking of George Frideric Handel then you areright. Handel composed the Music for the Royal Fireworks 250 years ago at the requestof King George I of England. The music accompanied a fireworks display that celebratedpeace between England and France in 1749.
FRIDAY: Since the week of the Victoria Day celebration is always a short week, only fourdays are given.