Music for the Royal Fireworks

George Frideric Handel

Recordings

Top Choice

Frederick Fennell / Cleveland Symphonic Winds

1978 Pioneering digital recording. Still impressive.

A digital classic. Recording quality is still impressive; clarity of percussion and brass is wonderful. Very exciting, military pomp and circumstance.

Label: Telarc

Also Worth Hearing

Charles Mackerras

1959 Uses a ton of instruments, recorded in a church. A bit muddy.

A classic. Not for clarity, but for exuberance, power, and love of the music. Recorded at midnight on the 200th anniversary of Handel's death with the best brass players in London. A real occasion.