Aaron Rabushka wrote:

>In references to the Brahms/Wagner debate in 19th century Vienna I have
>often run across the name of Eduard Hanslick as the proponent of the Brahms
>(absolute) side. Was there a critic of comparable standing representing the
>Wagner (programmatic) side?

Franz Brendel, editor of "Neue Zeitschrift fuer Music" (founded
by Schumann, I believe).  I don't know if he is/was of comparable
standing, but the journal was quite influential.  Richard Pohl was another
critic/theorist on the programmatic side.  I think he fought a relatively
clean battle compared to Hanslick, Wagner and Brahms.  Much of the fuss was
really about Liszt's music, but it was Wagner who fought the battle.

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