Brahms: Serenade No. 2

Brahms's Second Serenade is one of those pieces that doesn't really work at live concerts. It's a small piece, with no trumpets and drums, and more significantly, no violins. In large halls the music often seems lost, and the enormous slow movement makes the music sound not just dark, but overwhelmingly slow and quiet too. It is, however, lovely music, so it's perfect for listening at home where you can get to know it at your leisure. This recording does the work full justice, and Hungarian Dances provides a welcome contrast.

David Hurwitz