Although usually lumped together with the two other Bs (Bach and Beethoven), Brahms stands out as one of the most influential classical composers of the 19th century. During his lifetime, Brahms was considered old-fashioned by some of his counterparts. Unlike other composers of the time, he chose to venerate the old German music of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart by using traditional methods such as counterpoint, and updating them with his own Romantic ideas. This concert will feature some of the composer's chamber music, including Sextet for Strings, Liebeslieder Waltzes for Vocal Quartet and Piano Four-Hands, and Hungarian Dances for Piano Four-Hands. Performers include Pamela Kurau and Constance Fee, sopranos, Carl Johengen, tenor, Derrick Smith, baritone, Mikhail Kopelman and David Brickman, violins, George Taylor and Michael Larco, violas, Stefan Reuss and Kathleen Murphy Kemp, cellos, and Michael Landrum and Joseph Werner, piano.

The Genius of Brahms will take place Sunday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N Plymouth Ave. $10-$30. 473-6567