10 ESSENTIAL STRING SERENADES for BEGINNERS

10 Essential String Serenades for Beginners
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Dvořák: Serenade for Strings
Grieg: Holberg Suite
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Fuchs: Serenade in D major, Op. 9
Elgar: Serenade for Strings
Herbert: Serenade for Strings, Op. 12
Suk: Serenade for Strings
Wirén: Serenade for Strings
Barber: Serenade for Strings, Op. 1

[@slushpump2338]

So glad that you included the Herbert serenade on this list.
When I first heard it almost 40 years ago in the performance by Gerard Schwartz conducting the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, it knocked my socks off. Especially the "Love Scene" movement, which is absolutely gorgeous.
Among the ones you didn't mention, two of my favorites are the serenades by Wolf-Ferrari and Oscar Straus.
And although they're not "serenades" as such, I've always loved Parry's "An English Suite" and "Lady Radnor's Suite."

[@r.l.666]

Love the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's recording of Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Don't we all!

[@whistlerfred6579]

I recall a story from a classical radio host who got a call from someone new to classical music. She said that liked all of the music she heard but particularly liked the "I'm inclined to knock music." 😄

[@dennischiapello3879]

That's too clever to be true!

[@whistlerfred6579]

@@dennischiapello3879 Maybe...but it's still a fun story!

[@bbailey7818]

Just a little side note. Douglas Moore was indebted to Tchaikovsky's famous, ingratiating Serenade waltz. He virtually paraphrases it in Ballad of Baby Doe; the waltz associated with Doe at the Clarendon Hotel. Yet he Americanizes it, so redolent of the 1870s, thebustle, and small town America. Hearing it always makes me think of the Tchaikovsky and vice-versa.

[@marceloforones6939]

I would like to remember Reinecke G minor Serenade just because I like it so much (especially with Chamber Orchestra Kremlin and Misha Rachlevsky on Claves).

[@bloodgrss]

Yes, I am one of the deaf fools who did not listen well enough to the 'orchestral' serenade video, and added unnecessarily my own 'string' ones! Mea Culpa! So, I stand chastised, but also delighted, with this new video. This time, 'nuff said.

[@vparseval]

I've been a huge Robert Fuchs fan for a long time, after Pandora at some point played his d-minor Cello sonata to me (the Blumenthal/Drobinsky recording is excellent). Before I saw what it was I thought that there had to be an additional Brahms Cello sonata I had never heard of. Incidentally, Fuchs was one of the contemporaries that Brahms generally praised and seemed to appreciate. It's not hard to see why.
I do find his music occasionally a little chatty, in that it just spins its wheels with not much forward momentum. But that's always made up by how tasteful and well-crafted everything is. He was clearly not a dilettante and knew his craft very well. An aspirational composer can learn a lot from him.

[@debrawhited3035]

Based on this video, I have acquired a recording of the Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and Grieg serenades by Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Marriner. Of course I am finding it gorgeous. What's not to love? As a beginner I am embarrassed to admit that full symphonies are a bit much for me. My attention span is not long enough, and I find my mind wandering and becoming distracted. The shorter format of serenades and concertos, on the other hand, are just right, capture my full attention for the duration of the piece, act as a "gateway drug," and allow my perception and enjoyment to become more developed. Eventually, I'm sure my taste will grow more sophisticated, to the point I am ready for the "whole enchilada" of symphonic works.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Your taste doesn't need to be more sophisticated. It already is. You just need to develop a longer attention span and that comes with experience. Just keep on listening!

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

Way off-topic question I just had. Would you ever consider sharing your thoughts regarding the symphonies of Karl Amadeus Hartmann, Henze, and other music by Bernd Alois Zimmermann; not only your thoughts but surveys of these composers music? Challenging listening but worthwhile compositions?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have discussed Hartmann and Henze, at least. Zimmermann is another story.

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

@@DavesClassicalGuide On You Tube I found deHartmann.

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

Nevermind I found the Hartmann one. sorry.

[@RudieVissenberg]

Interesting as usual. 😀 and I am first to react 😆

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, it helps when you don't bother to watch the video before commenting.

[@colinwrubleski7627]

Rendered blase From overfamiliarity, many string players refer to the piece as Einer Kleiner NICHTmusik...^^