Why is Brahms' music so great?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKgBdrsqvjs

That is why.

Analyzing the aesthetic value of art music can be tricky. Many people's musical preferences are not based purely on the actual quality of the music, but on personal emotional response (which can be tied in to a number of extra-musical factors).

That said, I do think it's possible to identify certain style points that makes Brahms' music noteworthy. Some of the elements would include rhythmic complexity (his use of hemiola-type figures, for example), metric dissonance, and a complex yet functional tonal language - lots of interesting chromaticism. His art songs are beautifully set; he uses various musical elements (texture, key, harmony, phrasing) to highlight the meaning and structure of the text.

The bottom line - the above poster is right, it's very difficult to identify what makes music great. I love Brahms' for a variety of reasons and they vary from piece to piece - sometimes it's an especially expressive melodic line, sometimes it's the gradual unfolding of a unified large-scale structure, sometimes it's a beautifully orchestrated symphonic movement. It's an immensely broad topic.

Personally, I don't care much for Brahms, but that is entirely a matter of personal taste.

There is no question the man was one of the great composers.

After the fact he is acknowledged as one of those who could compose, a lot of the opinions you will get will be subjective.

Many people will speak of the depth of emotion in all of Romantic era music, but this is an empirical, personal reaction and a very weak argument since all good music is somehow "expressive."

To evaluate music solely on its emotionality or its emotional impact on people is simple not a valid argument. I recommend weeding those type of answers out of your choice for best answer.

It is very easy and simple to emotionally gush over some art works, but much more difficult to explain why they should be given a high position as 'great.'

best regards.