Brahms Serenade no. 1 in D major, Op. 11

Brahms' serenades represent some of his earlier efforts at writing orchestral music. The first serenade was completed in 1857. At that time, Brahms was also working on his first piano concerto. Originally scored for wind and string octet and then expanded into a longer work for chamber nonet, the serenade was later adapted for orchestra. It consists of six movements and lasts slightly less than forty minutes.