This is an arrangement where I combined Beethoven’s 9th symphony “Ode to Joy” melody with Brahm’s 1st symphony, 4th movement melody. In its day, Brahm’s 1st symphony was called “Beethoven’s 10th” and the finale theme recalls “Ode to Joy”.
Robert Schumann wrote high praise for Brahms when Brahms was only 20, and that raised expectations that Brahms was “the future” of German music, taking the baton from Beethoven, who had passed away about 15 years prior. Perhaps as a result, Brahms only published very polished works and didn’t complete his first symphony until after age 40.
“Brahms eventually fulfilled Schumann’s prophecy with his Symphonic masterpieces, delayed in production though they were by the weight of expectation. He achieved the rare distinction of being considered the greatest composer of his age throughout Europe even before his death. He let his music speak for him. It still does.“