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George II wanted only “martial music” without “fiddles”, whereas Handel had in mind a work for strings and wind instruments. The composer did not give in until the last moment. On 21st April, he gave a public rehearsal in Vauxhall Gardens, with an orchestra composed of wind instruments, kettledrums (and perhaps strings); according to the newspapers, there were a hundred musicians. Twelve thousand people attended, bringing traffic on London Bridge to a standstill for three hours. The crowds had flocked there for Handel, for there were no fireworks, no wooden structures and no statues, allegorical or otherwise, on the day of the rehearsal. The autograph manuscript indicates 24 oboes, 12 bassoons, 9 trumpets, 9 horns, 3 pairs of kettledrums, a double bassoon and a serpent, but it is possible that on 27th April 1749 Handel conducted an even larger ensemble. The ceremony was fraught with incidents, the fireworks went awry, and only Handel’s music saved the occasion from complete disaster. During the resulting fire, Servandoni drew his sword on a royal official; he was disarmed and spent the night in prison. A month later, on 27th May, Handel conducted a special concert for the benefit of the Foundling Hospital in London; the programme included the Music for the Royal Fireworks and we know that on that occasion he returned to his original idea, with string parts.
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