Fireworks - the American passion needs a bit of British flair

Give an American an excuse for fireworks and they will spend a lot of money just to watch it go up in glorious smoke ... and light!  New Year's, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, numerous baseball games throughout the summer, Labor Day, Halloween, numerous football games ...  you get the picture.  I like to shoot them whenever I am at the beach for vacation.  Luckily, living near the South Carolina border, I can get my hands on pretty much any kind of fireworks available, notwithstanding the North Carolina ban on things that fly.

If you go to any of the really good city-sponsored fireworks displays in the US, there is usually musical accompaniment.  Unfortunately, the displays last, for the most part, less than 15 minutes, with the possible exception of New Year's and Independence Days.

The music composed by Handel for the Royal Fireworks celebrating the end of the War of Austrian Succession is rarely heard, but it would add quite a nice flair to any fireworks celebration.  Maybe the US sesquicentennial in 2026 would be a good spot for this ... a a nice touch since we broke from Great Britain.

For your listening enjoyment, the Neville Marriner version of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks

Music for the Royal Fireworks (Complete; Marriner)

First performed in 1749 (ten years prior to Handel's death at age 74) ... the pomp rings through nearly 300 years later.

No fancy title ... just a beautiful piece of music

Work travel has increased and my posts have decreased ... good example of cause and effect.  Modern classical music in the form of movie themes.  This particular on sets the perfect mood of peace and solitude, of being close to nature and experiencing natural beauty:

Opening Theme for "On Golden Pond" (Dave Grusin)