From Grieg to Brahms: Studies of Some Modern Composers and Their Art

An introductory essay outlines basic principles for appreciating music and sketches the historical development of musical resources. Subsequent chapters present concise studies of six composers—Grieg, Dvořák, Saint-Saëns, Franck, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms—blending biographical detail with analysis of style, technique, and expressive character. The author places each figure in the broader evolution of musical art, assessing relative influences and contributions. A closing essay considers the relationship between music and human experience, arguing that aesthetic judgment depends on both inherited technical means and the emotional life that gives music meaning.