Deryk Barker wrote:

>To fall asleep during the B minor sonata played by its composer,
>arguably history's greatest pianist?
>
>Brahms sinks in my estimation.

It just wasn't his stuff.  He was into strict classical forms with
romantic content to focus his attention.  Probably applied to his listening
as much as composing.  Though Liszt was a much more influential and in many
respects important composer than Brahms, I think Brahms was more successful
in what he attempted.  This is always the way with pioneers.  Of course,
what is the point in making this comparison.  They both wrote very great,
very different music and shouldn't be set against each other as they were
at the time.

David Stewart
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