Johannes Brahms actually had multiple careers in music: Early on he was a choir director; then he teamed up with violinist Joseph Joachim and they gave concerts throughout Europe.
When Brahms began to give thought composing, he was totally aware that he was living in the shadow of Beethoven. As such, before embarking on a full-blown symphony, he composed two “Serenades” which featured a smaller orchestral ensemble. These compositions were the vehicle for the composer to explore the use of winds, strings, and brass in his compositions.
Both of these Serenades represent delightful music, and here is Leonard Bernstein to direct the Serenade #2 by Johannes Brahms:
