Royal Firework

In the baroque period, showy, brilliant music was associated with festivities at court, whether for celebrating a peace treaty as in the case of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, or for the wedding of the brother of the French king in the case of Francœur’s festive suite. Handel’s work is one of his most famous compositions, while the name of the French composer François Francœur is almost unknown to today’s audiences. Nevertheless, this composer and concertmaster of the Paris opera was one of the most influential figures of musical life in pre–revolutionary France, and his music was popular at the court of King Louis XV.

Program:
G. F. Händel:

Water Music
Suita F dur HWV 348
Ouverture
Adagio e staccato
[Allegro]
Andante
[Allegro da capo]
Allegro
Air
Minuet
Bourée
Hornpipe
[Andante]

Suita D dur HWV 349*
Suita G dur HWV 350
[Allegro]*
[Alla hornpipe]*
[Sarabande]
Rigaudon I & II
Lentement*
Bourée*
Minuet I & II
[Country Dance I & II]
[Trumpet Minuet]*

------

François Francœur
SYMPHONIES POUR LE FESTIN ROYAL DU COMPTE D'ARTOIS
Ouverture de Scanderberg
Air gracieux
De M. Francœur
Air vif De M. Berton
Air vif pours les Esprits malfinisans
De M. Francœur
Rondeau De M. Francœur Rondeau
Gavotte légere De M. Mondonville Gavotte
Chaconne d'Iphigenie De M. Berton

G. F. Händel: Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
Ouverture
Bourée
La Paix
La Réjouissance
Minuet I & II