These two serenades reflect Brahms's interest, during the years 1858 and 1859, in the symphonies of Haydn and Mozart, as well as the latter's exquisite divertimenti, scored for small instrumental ensembles. Serenade No. 1 in D major was in fact originally composed for nine woodwinds and solo strings, then later rescored for full orchestra. Its six movements — graceful, melodious, and light-textured — reflect the elegance of the Mozart model while entertaining us with Brahms's characteristically ...