The deaths of Hapsburg monarch Charles VI - Emperor of Austria and Frederick William I - King of Prussia in 1740 plunged Europe into war in what became known in history as the War of the Austrian Succession. Charles' throne was passed to his daughter Maria Theresa. At the center of this war was the battle for control of Silesia in Austria. Hapsburg was a province of Silesia. Finally a truce was called in 1748, with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (a town in Germany). It was noted the conflict did not officially end until 1764 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The nations involved in the War of the Austrian Succession were Prussia, France, Spain, Bavaria, Austria, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, King George II of Great Britain commissioned George Frideric Handel to compose 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' to celebrate the peace treaty. The celebration took place in April 1749 . The music would to perform in the open air and the instruments used to make the sounds included oboes, bassoons, trumpets, horns, timpani and drums.
2009 marked the 260th anniversary of Handel's 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'. 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' comprised of 5 movements, of which the most famous was La Réjouissance (rejoicing).
