This serenade is an elegant essay in salon style for string orchestra. It has an easygoing, playful, and often childlike charm throughout, with both melodies and accompaniments that are sweet and uncomplicated. The harmonic idiom is that of late romantic tonality, and there are occasionally some flights of chromaticism that would come off as corny in many contexts, but do not do so here.

The first movement, allegro moderato, is designated as a March, although it doesn't much partake of the character that that would indicate. Soon after a playful pizzicato introduction the music settles into a tango with some teasing rhythmic and melodic turns. The middle section finally delivers a bit of a march beat, although the feeling is more playful than pompous.

The second movement is designated as a Romance (andante con moto) and features mildly nostalgic melodies and harmonies. There follow a gracefully flowing Waltz (allegro moderato) and an allegro non troppo finale in which a stately miniature march frames a mildly wistful middle section. Who says that "sentimental" is a nasty word?

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