Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), b. Hamburg, Germany:  He is the main representative of  nineteenth-century classic music. Brahms' compositions, especially symphonies, concertos, chamber music and choral works, sustain a grand plan that is monumental in scope.  Brahms' other smaller compositions reflect brooding, romantic longings.  He was overheard complaining how difficult it was to generate another great symphony after Beethoven.

     Until 1875, Brahms was unable to produce a single symphony.  In the end, he managed to compose four well-known symphonies, plus the Alto Rhapsody, Deutsches Requiem, etc.   It is safe to claim that his music is generally conservative in the classic style.  This would seem extraordinary given the fact that Brahms composed in the late romantic age.  His music reflects a mixture of classic and romantic elements.  He intentionally avoided programmatic music, or music with an extra-musical value.  Instead, Brahms absorbed the influence of Beethoven and patterned many of his works after Beethoven's symphonies.  For instance, Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C Minor resembles Beethoven's Fifth in that it also ends in a triumphal C major.  Brahms likes to employ a rather modest orchestral size and to retain traditional classic forms.

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