Occasion

Music has many uses. When considering music we should think of the sound, but also the background to the piece.

The occasion for a piece of music might be sacred or secular; private or public; live or recorded; transmitted on the radio or webcast over the internet.

Music can be composed for special events and the occasion for the music helps to make it what it is.

Here's an example: Handel's La Rejouissance. Listen to the extract, and think how the occasion might have effected the music.

In 1749, King George II of England commanded that a magnificent fireworks display was to be held in Green Park, London. This was to celebrate the signing of the Peace Treaty between France and Britain. Handel was appointed to compose the special music to accompany such a great occasion.

As his music was to be played outdoors he had to consider this when thinking about what instruments he could use. As well as the usual strings, Handel 's orchestra consisted of woodwind (oboes and bassoons), brass (trumpets and horns) and percussion (kettle and snare drums).