Mikael Rasmusson on the one-bar similarity between the main themes of the
Brahms first and Beethoven ninth finales:

>My fantastic detective ear discovered that bar at the first hearing!  The
>surroundings are different, but the mood of the tune is similar and the
>tune develops in a similar fashion.  And yes, it's one bar, but how often
>does Beethoven and Brahms use that bar? That's what disturbing me.  Why
>didn't he incorporate a choral part as well?

Well, he had to leave *something* for Busoni to do.

Steve Schwartz