Johannes Brahms!

Born in Hamburg, Germany, on May 7, 1833, Brahms was the great master of symphonic and sonata style in the second half of the 19th century. He can be viewed as the protagonist of the Classical tradition of Joseph Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Over his last years, Brahms completed "Vier ernste Gesange," which drew on work from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. It was a revealing piece for the composer, damning what was found on earth and embracing death as a relief from the material world's excesses and pain.

Brahms himself certainly had death on his mind. On May 20, 1896, his old friend Clara Schumann passed away after several years of health problems. Around this time, Brahms' own health began to deteriorate. Doctors discovered that his liver was in poor condition. Brahms gave his last performance in March 1897 in Vienna. He died a month later, on April 3, 1897, from complications due to cancer.

johanne's brahms quotes

Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully. 

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.