Among Wolf-Ferrari’s compositions, the positive mood of the Serenade for string orchestra is unique, or almost unique. It can be associated, even with its diversities, to the 15-year old Mendelssohn composing his string Octet. The Serenade in E flat was performed on the occasion of the end of year concert of the Musical Academy of Leipzig and became immediately popular. It was conducted by Ludwig Abel, who later proposed it to Steingräber, a publisher from Leipzig that published it and paid his author 150 marks.

With regard to the Violin Concerto op. 26 in D major, the collaboration between Wolf‑Ferrari and Guila Bustabo was intimate and significant. Op.26 is peculiar because of its duration (less than 40 minutes), the number of its movements (there are 4 instead of 3), and for its tonal style – showing Wolf-Ferrari’s connection to the past. He took inspiration from the traditional romantic concerto and then renewed it.