Johannes Brahms fills concert halls around the world with his symphonies, piano compositions, songs, and his "German Requiem." His music positions him as an antithesis to Richard Wagner and Anton Bruckner, while its influence extends into the classical modern era. Although Brahms outwardly led the life of a serious citizen, his biography vividly reflects all the highs and lows that are also mirrored in his music. Friedrich Nietzsche regarded "longing" as the "most essential" aspect of the composer, and Arnold Schönberg coined the succinct phrase: "Economy and yet: richness.".