There is something very warm and generous about the music of Brahms. Like talking to an old friend. My only regret with his string quartets is that he did not compose more of them. I think sometimes he got nervous about the comparisons that were made about him and Beethoven (especially over the first symphony) These things are very personal but I think when composers are as good as Beethoven and Brahms comparisons really are odious. I also think Beethoven would have given him every encouragement.
