As the 19th century came to a close, cathartic changes were coming to the European classical music scene. But they would not come at the hands of Johannes Brahms. No revolutionary he, Brahms was a culminating figure of the Romantic style. This doesn't mean he lacked originality, and his Fourth Symphony with its remarkable finale movement demonstrates that he had a lot yet to say.
From Brahms, we move to an English fishing village with Benjamin Britten's stark Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes; a 21st century elegy from Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov; some virtuoso pieces for violin and for harpsichord by Paganini and Scarlatti, respectively; and a cantata by J.S. Bach, the famous Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.
