Johannes Brahms

Serenade No. 1 in D (Op. 11)

One of two orchestral serenades composed by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) that served as early efforts to write orchestral music, this SERENADE No. 1 in D is the composer's first published orchestral work. Originally written for wind and string nonet, then later for chamber orchestra (both are now lost), Brahms completed his version for full orchestra in 1858 while wintering in Detmold, Germany, teaching part-time in the court of Prince Paul Friedrich Emil Leopold. While reminiscent in some ways of earlier small-orchestra works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert, Brahms' own voice and Romantic sensibilities are discernable. In six movements, the work is notable for offering particularly prominent horn parts. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).