Comment by pdonis
4 hours ago
When Brahms was told that his Symphony No. 1 sounded like Beethoven, he said "Even a donkey knows that!"
4 hours ago
When Brahms was told that his Symphony No. 1 sounded like Beethoven, he said "Even a donkey knows that!"
Another example: early in his career, Scriabin sounded a lot like Chopin. Later in his career, though, his music turned into something truly original and one-of-a-kind. It seems necessary to start out imitating your idols, but at some point true artists aren't content with imitating and have to find their own voice.
Actually, didn't hear about this, but makes sense, Brahms clearly builds off of Beethoven.
But, have had heard the same thing that was said in the page you linked, that one of the reasons Brahms took so long in his life before he wrote a symphony is that he had to compete with Beethoven, and didn't feel it was ready until much older. Yeah, what an immense weight he must have felt to have to follow up what Beethoven had done!
> Brahms clearly builds off of Beethoven
And moreover he wasn't at all afraid to say so; he clearly considered it normal and commonplace.
Agreed:)