Overview
Introduction
The two Serenades, Opp. 11 and 16, represented two of the earliest efforts by Johannes Brahms to write orchestral music. They both date from after the 1856 death of Robert Schumann when Brahms was residing in Detmold and had access to an orchestra.
Brahms had a goal of reaching Ludwig van Beethoven's level in writing symphonies, and worked long and hard on his Symphony No. 1, completing it only in 1876 when he was 43 years old. As preliminary steps in composing for orchestra, he chose early on to write some lighter orchestral pieces, these Serenades. The second was first sent to Clara Schumann, who was delighted by it.
Serenade No. 2 in A, Op. 16
- Allegro moderato (A major)
- Scherzo. Vivace (C major) — Trio (F major)
- Adagio non troppo (A minor, ends in A major with a Picardy third)
- Quasi menuetto (D major) — Trio (F♯ minor)
- Rondo. Allegro (A major)
Based on Johannes Brahms' Serenade no. 2 in A major, op. 16. From the German television show Querbeet which is a broadcast of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Run time is 47 seconds.
