The work is scored for the unusual combination of 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons and 2 horns. It was commissioned by John Jeffries as a wedding gift for his wife Connie, to be performed by the Camerata Wind Soloists at the Rasiguères Festival on 26th June 1987. As is befitting a serenade, the work was played in the evening and outdoors, in the village square where you could often hear the sounds echoing back from the surrounding hills and vineyards.

As well as being an original wedding present, the alternating moods of romantic lyricism and festive joy in the composition reflect the pastoral and festive spirit of this particular festival of wine and music!

The first movement opens gently with muted horns, setting up a distant, hazy atmosphere evocative of the Pyrennean hills. There is also a surprising quote from Mozart’s Don Giovanni; the first two lines of the aria 'Là ci darem la mano, Là mi dirai di sì' (“There you will give me your hand, There you will say ‘yes’ to me”), a reference to John and Connie’s wedding. The short second movement is an intermezzo which leads into the very lively finale.

from notes by John Whibley © 2023