Brahms was regarded as a representative of the bourgeois age, which drew criticism from figures like Cosima Wagner, who complained about his 'damaging and bigoted influence'.
Historical Context
The 'folk style' in music was not new in the 19th century, with composers like Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Schumann also engaging with it.
Composer's Artistic Vision
For Brahms, the folksong was not a historical 'archetypal substance' but rather a vague, unfocused, and otherworldly memory, as influenced by Johann Gottfried Herder.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Johannes Brahms considered the folksong to be the ideal form for Lieder, stating this in a letter to Clara Schumann in 1860.
Compositional Technique
Brahms's 'folk style' in his songs is often complex, ponderous, and dark, rather than carefree or optimistic, as exemplified by the F minor opening of his Op. 32.
Composer Biography
Brahms began compiling his own collection of folksongs in 1848 and continued this activity throughout his life.
