SERENADE chronicles the passing of the torch to the young composer Johannes Brahms, who is mentored by the mentally-deteriorating Robert Schumann and his virtuosa wife Clara Wieck-Schumann. After Robert is institutionalized, Johannes takes on the responsibility of helping to care for the Schumann's seven children, while Clara tours to earn money to support her family. She is forbidden by the doctors from seeing Robert, forcing Johannes to serve as the Schumann's "go-between". Johannes composes his "Lullaby" for the Schumann children. He and Clara find themselves falling in love. After Robert's passing, and Johannes' proposal of marriage, Clara is forced to choose between what is in the best interests of Brahms' career and what she is feeling in her heart.