Brahms - Serenade No.1 in D-major Op.11 30 June 2010 - 9 July 2010

In the summer of 2010 we rehearsed as guests in a convent run by Franciscan Friars in a small city not far from Formigine. The experience in Vignola was so wonderful, that many of us felt nostalgic even though we were continuing on to the magnificent Val di Fiemme, in the middle of the Alps in Trentino where the second half of the project took place. But the performance of Brahms’ First Serenade in the beautiful natural location of Passo di Lavazè at 1805 m., at the Festival dell Dolomiti, was a dream come true. It is hard to find a better place for such music! Here was the first orchestral work by Brahms, and also the first performance of Brahms for Spira. Both are in anticipation for the Symphonies!