Josef Suk - Serenade for Strings Op. 6 (1892)

Josef Suk (4 January 1874 – 29 May 1935) was a Czech composer and violinist. Serenade for Strings in E flat major, Op. 6 (1892) 1. Andante con moto (0:00) 2. Allegro ma non troppo e grazioso (4:57) 3. Adagio (10:38) 4. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo presto (19:29) The Young Danish Chamber Orchestra conducted by While Suk was studying under Antonín Dvořák at the Prague Conservatory, Dvořák noticed a melancholy strain in much of Suk’s music, and recommended he write some lighter and more cheerful music. Based on Dvořák’s suggestion, Suk produced a serenade for strings. Two movements were publicly conducted by Suk in late 1893 in Tábor. The first complete performance was on 25 February 1895, at the Prague Conservatory, conducted by Antonín Bennewitz, Suk’s violin teacher at the Conservatory. The Serenade soon brought Suk considerable fame and Dvořák’s longtime supporter, Johannes Brahms, endorsed its publication.