Bernstein's Serenade Tickets

The essentials

Quick Facts About Bernstein's Serenade

• Composer: Leonard Bernstein; Title: Serenade, after Plato's Symposium; Year: 1954; Instrumentation: solo violin, harp, string orchestra, percussion; Movements: five; Dedication: 'to the beloved memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevzky'.
• Premiere: September 12, 1954, Teatro La Fenice, Venice, with Isaac Stern (violin) and Bernstein conducting; first American performances by the Boston-area/Israel Philharmonic forces in 1955. These details come from Bernstein’s official works page and historical notes. ([leonardbernstein.com](https://leonardbernstein.com/works/view/23/serenade-after-platos-symposium?utm_source=openai))
• Character: frequently described as violin-concerto-like, though Bernstein called it a serenade with no literal program, exploring five viewpoints on love drawn from Plato's Symposium. ([leonardbernstein.com](https://www.leonardbernstein.com/works/view/23/serenade-after-platos-symposium?utm_source=openai))
• 2025 Rochester broadcast: violinist Tessa Lark performed Serenade with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 2025 (WXXI Classical program highlight). ([wxxiclassical.org](https://www.wxxiclassical.org/program-highlight-0/2025-06-10/violinist-tessa-lark-sings-in-bernsteins-serenade-after-platos-symposium-8-4-8pm?utm_source=openai))
• Associated institutions maintain current event calendars with Serenade listings, including the Leonard Bernstein Office and multiple regional orchestras. ([leonardbernstein.com](https://www.leonardbernstein.com/))
• Social media presence: The Leonard Bernstein Office maintains official social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube) linked from their site. ([leonardbernstein.com](https://www.leonardbernstein.com/))