Why did some of Johannes Brahms’s contemporaries consider his music old-fashioned?

Some of Johannes Brahms’s contemporaries viewed his music as old-fashioned because he was a committed traditionalist who rejected the trends of the "neo-German" school, led by figures like Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt.1

While many composers of the era were increasingly focused on "Romantic individualism," emotional rhapsody, and programmatic content—music intended to depict specific stories or ideas—Brahms deliberately sought to preserve and revitalize the structural rigor of the Classical tradition. His music was characterized by:23

• Formal Discipline: He retained traditional structures, such as the four-movement symphony, and utilized established methods of thematic development and contrapuntal craftsmanship.2
• Avoidance of Programmatic Content: Unlike the "modernists" who favored extramusical narratives, Brahms avoided programmatic themes, focusing instead on absolute music.2
• Classical Foundations: His technique was grounded in a thorough study of Baroque and Classical masters, including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.23

Because he championed these older forms and techniques, critics and rivals often labeled him a reactionary, contrasting his disciplined approach with the perceived innovations of his contemporaries.31