Brahms - Like him?

Do any of you guys like this composer? I've been reading way mixed reviews of his works even found some other famous composers who didn't like him! For example:

"I have played over the music of that scoundrel Brahms, what a giftless bastard." -Tchaikovsky, 1886.

Pretty to the point wasn't Mr T. Haha!

Fpr what it's worth, I like brahms.

Not sure, never listened a lot to him! But I think this is a fun piece by Brahms:

Its worth a lot Andrew, it just seems like quite a few people don't like or maybe understand his music.

I prefer the incredibly emotional pieces which move you someplace else, maybe thats why i don't seem to connect to Brahms much.

Wheres the spokesperson to defend Brahms!

Klavier wrote:..
Wheres the spokesperson to defend Brahms!

I think Angela, which is Andrews girlfriend, like Brahms a lot!! I have also gotten some tips from a couple of composers that some of Brahms pieces are Really worth studying cause of some genius ways of composing, structure ect ... But music is taste! So if some dont like him, they can of course share their opinion. (I know Grieg was though of as a nobody for a long time) But I think it was very negative of Tchaikovsky to say "giftless bastard". Remember that even though composer is tallented and wellknow, he can have hidden agendas with what he say. Trashtalking someone else can in many situations be used to Raise their own value! Might be a that kind of trick by Tchaikovsky! Cause giftelss is just idiotic to say no matter if its Tchaikovsky saying it or Helga down at the corner saying it hehe

I enjoy Brahms a lot, recently purchased set of Brahms string quartet and am listening to it almost everyday. Can't really put my finger on what exactly about his music that attracts me so much.

BTW, it is an interesting to note Tchaikovsky's comment. Goes on to show that even geniuses are not without common human flaws :-)

Klavier wrote:
I prefer the incredibly emotional pieces which move you someplace else, maybe thats why i don't seem to connect to Brahms much.

I even went through the thread "What are your favourite Piano compositions?" and I'm surprised nobody mentions this piece "Op.118 No.2 Intermezzo."

The beginning reminds me of one song in Jurrassic Park. At first I thought it really was, but it isn't.

This piece is full of emotion, mixed emotion--moves me every time.
Someone on youtube says he was to use it as a music background on an art project-- and the theme is a person's life from birth to death.
I picture an old person looking back at the past, which is represented by this piece--with hope, wonder, passion, peace...

I've listened to at least 7 versions, and the following one is by far my favourite.
Have to listen to the whole thing!

There is parts in this last one I like Vetenar! My opinion has grown since my earlier posts but something still feels incredibly strange when I listen to any Brahms, I instinctively recognise it and always imagine it as close to something but never ever getting there... I get frustrated when I listen to Brahms.

All I can say is, he must have had big hands! There seem to be a lot of stretching to the 8th in his small pieces, which is hard for me at present. But since I happen to like some of his music, I just have to practice harder to get there.