After the last couple of weekends of firework extravaganzas, I am reminded of a piece ‘La Rejouissance’ from a suite that was written by Handel – ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ -for a firework display in Green Park, London in 1749 to celebrate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Although Handel wrote this work for wind instruments and drums (as apparently King George II preferred these instruments to strings! You’ll be pleased to know Handel did, however, re-score it later on so that the strings could be added!) the Lochrian Ensemble has a great arrangement for string quartet of La Rejouissance (The Rejoicing) – a perfect uplifting piece for a bride to walk down the aisle on her wedding day.