7 The 100 Most Influential Musicians of All Time 7- The composer thanked the university by writing the
Academic Festival Overture (1881) based on various German
student songs. Among his other orchestral works at this
time were the Violin Concerto in D Major (1878) and the
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major (1881).
By now Brahms’s contemporaries were keenly aware of
the significance of his works, and people spoke of the
“three great Bs” (meaning Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms),
to whom they accorded the same rank of eminence. Yet
there was a sizable circle of musicians who did not admit
Brahms’s greatness. Fervent admirers of the avant-garde
composers of the day, most notably Liszt and Wagner, looked
down on Brahms’s contributions as too old-fashioned and
inexpressive.
Brahms remained in Vienna for the rest of his life. He
resigned as director of the Society of Friends of Music in
1875, and from then on devoted his life almost solely to
composition. When he went on concert tours, he con-
ducted or performed (on the piano) only his own works.
He maintained a few close personal friendships and
remained a lifelong bachelor. During these years Brahms
composed the Double Concerto in A Minor (1887) for violin
and cello, the Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor (1886), and the
Violin Sonata in D Minor (1886 –88). He also completed the
first String Quintet in F Major (1882) and the second String
Quintet in G Major (1890).
Final Years
In 1891 Brahms was inspired to write chamber music for
the clarinet. He consequently composed the Trio for
Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1891); the great Quintet for Clarinet
and Strings (1891); and two Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano
(1894). These works are beautifully adapted to the poten-
tialities of the wind instrument.