Stenhammar began work on what many consider to be his finest orchestral work in 1907-08. He completed the first version following his return from vacationing in Italy (1912-13). Dedicated to his wife Helga Marcia, the Serenade was given its premiere under the composer's baton in Stockholm in January 1914. Revisions were made in 1919 and the final version was premiered in Gothenburg in 1920. While unmistakably Scandinavian, Stenhammar's music often...