Serenade for Strings, Op. 11

• Serenade for Strings is Wirén’s best-known work. Written in 1937, the work for string orchestra consists of four movements:
  1. Preludium
  2. Andante espressivo
  3. Scherzo
  4. Marcia
• Musically, the piece is cheerful, whimsical, and accessible, evoking a neo-classical style.¹
• Serenade for Strings was commissioned and premiered by Tobias Wilhelmi and the Stockholm Chamber Orchestra at the National Museum in Stockholm.²
• The composer said the following about the piece:

“The purpose of this little Serenade is simply to amuse and entertain, and if the listener, when the last note has faded, feels cheerful and happy, then I have reached my goal.”

Source

1. “Serenade for Strings, Op. 11,” JW Pepper, accessed March 4, 2025, https://www.jwpepper.com/serenade-for-strings-op-11-9545953-1531724/p.
2. “Works and recordings,” The Dag Wirén Foundation, accessed March 4, 2025, https://dagwiren.se/english/works-and-recordings/.