"I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer"

This quote by Johannes Brahms speaks with the concept of restraint and pureness in musical structure. Brahms was an author of the Romantic period, and his works typically featured complex and detailed tunes. Nevertheless, in this quote, he is recommending that variation kind should be more restrained and pure. This might be analyzed as a require authors to focus on producing easier, more classy tunes, instead of counting on complex and detailed variations. Brahms was a supporter of symphonic music, and this quote might be seen as a reflection of his belief that music should be more restrained and pure. He was likely promoting for a go back to the simpler, more stylish melodies of the classical era. By suggesting that variation form ought to be more restrained and pure, Brahms was likely encouraging composers to focus on producing music that was more available and pleasurable to the listener.