Developed primarily during the Classical and Romantic periods, absolute music is often contrasted with program music, which is music that is intended to represent or evoke specific images, scenes, or ideas. Composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms were known for their mastery of absolute music, creating symphonies, sonatas, and chamber music that stood on their own as musical works of art. The concept of absolute music continues to be relevant in contemporary classical music, as composers explore the boundaries of pure musical expression without the constraints of a specific program or narrative.