The brief, melodic Serenade was written for, and is dedicated to, Julian Bream, for whom Arnold also wrote his popular Guitar Concerto in 1959. The Serenade was first performed at the Richmond Community Centre Hall in Richmond, Surrey, in the summer of 1955. Bream was the soloist, and the composer conducted the Richmond Community Centre String Orchestra.

The five-minute composition is in a palindromic ABCBA form. It opens quietly, with delicate harmonics from the guitar. A lovely lilting tune in triple meter follows, a variant of which, over pizzicato accompaniment from the strings, is featured in the more propulsive central section. After a few strums from the guitar, the lilting tune returns in somewhat more ornate form. The piece closes with a varied statement of the quiet opening.

© Chris Morrison, All Music Guide