AllMovie

Part of the Famous Composers video series, this documentary tells the story of 19th century German composer Johannes Brahms. Often thought of as the musical successor to Ludwig van Beethoven, Brahms had trouble living up to the image and quality of his predecessor. He experimented in many forms of music, writing symphonies and concertos, piano works and chamber pieces. The only major form he never attempted was opera. He is known for his strong musical compositions and for what is called "absolute music," which is music written without a corresponding story or scene. The famed Elysian Ensemble provides the musical accompaniment for this video.