Hugo Wolf

Italian Serenade

Written in 1887 by notable Leider composer Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), Italian Serenade was originally written for string quartet and named simply Serenade in G Major. In his ongoing attempt to set the works of poet Joseph Eichendorff to music, Wolf based this piece off of Eichendorff's novella Der Soldat I. By 1890, Wolf began referring to the work as Italian Serenade, perhaps in reference to a small orchestra that played an Italian serenade in Der Soldat I. Italian Serenade was first performed in Vienna in January of 1904, shortly after the composer's death. This edition is edited for string orchestra by notable bassist Lucas Drew. String count of 8-8-5-5-5 included in the set.