Johannes Brahms Symphonies

February 11th, 2010

Question: Which are the Beethoven Influences in Johannes Brahms Symphonies?

I want instances where he wrote music that had a family relationship with Beethoven.

Answer: There's no question that Beethoven colossus that he was had a profound effect on Brahms.
He reportedly wrote;
"I'll never get a symphony written. You've no conception of what it's like to hear a giant's footsteps marching behind you."
Brahms didn't manage to complete his first symphony until he was 43..21 years in the making.
In his four symphonies there is a strong influence,even homage apparent.
Probably no more so than in his first symphony which was sometimes jokingly referred to as "Beethoven's Tenth".
From my understanding there is a theme in the finale of Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor that is related to the "Ode to Joy" theme from the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth symphony. Supposedly this was pointed out to Brahms to which he reputedly retorted: "Any ass can see that!"
Indeed, gestures of homage to Beethoven, particularly the Fifth Symphony, are present throughout the work. The key is C minor, giving way to C major in the final movement, following the same tonal plan as Beethoven used in the Fifth
However these similarities though do not make Brahms symphonies rip-offs,they have their own very distinct Brahmsian character.