G. F. Handel: Fire & Water - Collegium 1704

In November, Accentus Music will produce Handel's "Water Music" and "Music for the Royal Fireworks" with Collegium at Slavkov Castle.

When the "Water Music" was performed for the first time in 1717 at a royal celebration with a large boat parade on the Thames, its patron, King George I of Great Britain and Ireland, was so enthusiastic that the young Handel had to repeat it several times. It is rousing, catchy, graceful and jubilant all at once – a triumphant success, even today. The popular “Music for the Royal Fireworks” is a suite composed for wind instruments for the fireworks in London's Green Park on 27 April 1749, celebrating the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) in 1748.

In the beautiful setting of Slavkov Castle, a baroque palace in Slavkov u Brna, Czech Republic, which is mostly known for the historic Battle of Austerlitz, both works will be filmed with Collegium 1704, one of the most successful ensembles specializing in historical performance in Europe under the musical direction of Václav Luks. The music is accompanied by scenes of baroque fireworks as well as water fountains to underline the themes of both pieces.

George Frideric Handel
Water Music, HWV 348-350
Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351

Collegium 1704
Václav Luks, conductor & harpsichord

Recording date: mid-November 2023
Recording location: Slavkov Castle, Slavkov u Brna (Czech Republic)

A UHD HDR production of Accentus Music in co-production with MDR/Arte.

Post-production will be completed in mid-December and the program could be delivered in time for a holiday broadcast! Please get in touch with us at distribution@accentus.com.

Production Company Accentus Music GmbH
Co-Production Company MDR/Arte
TV Director Ute Feudel
Orchestra / Band Collegium 1704
Conductor Václav Luks
Recording location Slavkov Castle, Slavkov u Brna (Czech Republic)
Composer George Frideric Handel