In music, the serenade originated in the 18th century and is typically defined as calm, light music, often written in someone's honor or for special social occasions. For example, Benjamin Britten's Gemini Variations were written for a pair of young Hungarian prodigies of his acquaintance. Edward Elgar's Piano Quintet was likely inspired by the approaching end of his creative career, as both a sort of confrontation and a summing up. No one knows the occasion that inspired Antonin Dvorak to compose his Serenade in D Minor, but the result is a sunny, high-spirited piece that has remained a perennial audience favorite. Recorded on 8/20/2017. (#32531)