Music for Strings
This important early work of Elgar's no doubt owes a good deal of its effective use of the strings to his own intimate knowledge of the violin, and his youthful experience as conductor of a local band of modest size and attainment. The short second movement is always regarded as the gem of the Serenade. Its main tune is a long, flowing melody which the first violin plays ; there is a contrasting section and the melody is repeated in fuller and richer form.