Fireworks above Ludwigsburg.
The palace and palace grounds are used for many fêtes, festivals and celebrations almost all year round, and the July fireworks is one of the most beautiful ones. What is really special about this event is not only the beautiful setting in the palace grounds - it looks stunning, fireworks above and against the backdrop of the palace - but also that the fireworks are timed to music. Each and every bang of them!
Maybe some of you know that a German composer, Georg Friedrich Händel, composed "Feuerwerksmusik" for his then employer, King George II of England. That music was composed and performed to match a fireworks display in 1748.
The musical fireworks held every summer in my home town naturally have been set to that music, too, but there is a different musical theme every year. This year it was selected pieces from Verdi's most famous operas, one year it was a Hollywood theme with bits like the main theme from the Harry Potter movies, another year it was Ravel's "Bolero", and one year the theme was "Glam Rock", featuring T-Rex, Abba and others.
This year, I had completely forgotten about the event and was having a quiet night in after the community summer fest described in my previous post. Only when, some time after 10.00 pm, I heard the first loud BANG from the direction of the town center, I remembered that it was fireworks' night.
I watched it all from my kitchen window - well, what I was able to see above the buildings and trees between my house and the palace grounds.
And I even managed to take a few pictures that did not turn out so bad!
Twenty minutes or so later, it was over, and while I was sorry for not having been there, I was still glad that I had at least caught some of it.
The pictures aren’t bad at all. I’ve not been to a fireworks display for years. I only the Sylvester ones on TV.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the Brits consider Handel to be ‘their’ composer?
Yes, Friko, I know they see him as one of their own, and that's fine by me; he did, after all, spend a large part of his life at court, and composed much of his work there.
DeleteYou got some great shots from your window and you didn't have to fight any crowds to enjoy them! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI just read the comment above, and it is true, the Brits claim him too...I don't blame them one bit!
It is a good place to watch fireworks from, that's true! On the few occasions that I was home on New Year's Eve, I watched the fireworks there, too.
DeleteI think the third photo - with the roof silhouetted - is the best. Really atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteThat one is my favourite of the small collectoin, too, John.
DeleteThose fireworks pictures are not bad at all. I know from experience that it is not easy - I sometimes try to take photos of fireworks from my balcony at New Year. I agree with John - the third photo with the roof silhouetted is especially good.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to say Händel is one of my favourite classic composers, I like baroque music. I have his Fireworks Music and Water Music on the same CD.
DeleteMy parents, especially my Dad (I think), love baroque music, too. I grew up listening to a variety of my parents' music - everything from Bach to the Beatles - and I know we were listening to Händel many times, too.
DeleteSo beautiful, and your pictures are amazingly excellent.
ReplyDeleteWe love to watch the 4th of July fireworks from our dock. They take place in the park across the lake from us. I missed them this year, but enjoyed seeing your fireworks.
It must be spectacular to watch fireworks across a lake! Sorry you missed them this year, but I'm sure you'll be there next year.
DeleteLike CJ I really do think that the third photo is a cracker.
ReplyDeleteJust without the noise, Graham :-)
DeleteI didn't imagine you'd be celebrating the 4th! LOL!! That is a beautiful display! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWell, we don't, Mary :-)
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the pictures, and that is only a fraction of what was really going on - I couldn't see it all for the buildings being in the way.