Brahms's symphonies were always seen by his contemporaries as an extension of Beethoven's symphonies. When Brahms Third Symphony premiered, this work was immediately characterized as 'heroic', because Beethoven's Third Symphony was, after all, also known as the Heroic. Brahms' Third is indeed combative, with the opening motif F, As, F referring to Brahms' motto Frei aber froh '. However, the end of
… this symphony is by no means heroic. The music fades into a resigned pianissimo. Ironically, the transcendent beauty of the very last bars is more reminiscent of Brahms opponent Wagner than Beethoven. (HJ)more
