Silent bang for firework display

The Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert is on 31 August 2008

Special new silent fireworks are to be used in the huge fireworks display to mark the end of the Edinburgh International Festival.

In a first for Edinburgh, the bangless-fireworks will be timed to complement quieter passages of music at the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert.

The annual spectacular finale is on Sunday 31 August at 2100 BST.

The 45-minute-display includes 100,000 fireworks, four tonnes of explosives and hundreds of firing sequences.

Vantage points

It also includes a silver waterfall which cascades down the north face of the castle.

Wilf Scott and Keith Webb, from Pyrovision, are behind the Edinburgh Castle display.

Choreographed to a live orchestral performance, the event last year attracted an audience of more than 250,000 people, viewing from vantage points across the capital. It is the biggest annual event of its kind in Europe.

The silent fireworks are to be used during quiet passages of music, which is performed live by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Acclaimed firebrand Romanian conductor Nicolae Moldoveanu leads the orchestra in a programme of music for Hungarian Dances by Brahms and Slavonic Dances by Dvorak.

Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival director, said: "I would like to thank the Bank of Scotland for their continued support of this wonderful, popular event.

"There is a fantastic atmosphere in Princes Street Gardens, and across the city, where crowds gather to watch the display."

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