The work sparkles with some of the finest virtues of Brahms's orchestral technique, sometimes applied for comic effect, such as the bassoons that inflate the light subject of ""Fuchslied"" ("Was kommt dort von der Höh?"). The inventive treatment includes tunes appropriated from the student ditties ""Fuchslied"", ""Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus"", ""Hört, ich sing das Lied der Lieder"", and most memorably, the broad, triumphant finale on ""Gaudeamus igitur"", which succinctly engages Brahms's sophisticated mastery of counterpoint, further fulfilling the "academic" aspect of his program, cheekily applied to the well-worn melody. Brahms manages to evoke ravishing euphoria without sacrificing his commitment to classical balance.