Johannes Brahms

A brief history

Johannes Brahms

Born: May 7, 1833 Hamburg, Germany Died: April 3, 1897 Vienna, Austria

Johannes Brahms
The German composer, pianist, and conductor Johannes Brahms was one of the most signicant composers of the nineteenth century. His works combine the warm feeling of the Romantic period with the control of classical inuences such as Johann Sebastian Bach (16851750) and Ludwig van Beethoven (17701827).

Johannes Brahms
Brahmss father, Johann Jakob Brahms, was an innkeeper and a musician of moderate ability. His father taught him to play violin and piano. When Brahms was six years old he created his own method of writing music in order to get the melodies he created on paper. At the age of seven he began studying piano under Otto Cossel. He played a private concert at the age of ten to obtain funds for his future education. Also at ten years old he began piano lessons with Eduard Marxsen (18061887).

Johannes Brahms
In 1853, Brahms met Robert Schumann and his wife, Clara. Schumann's enthusiasm for the young composer knew no bounds. Schumann wrote articles praising Brahms and also arranged for the publication of Brahms's rst compositions. During 1854 Brahms wrote thePiano Trio No. 1,theVariations on a Theme of Schumannfor piano, and theBalladesfor piano. Also that year Brahms was summoned to Dsseldorf, Germany, when Schumann had a breakdown and attempted suicide.

Johannes Brahms
For the next few years, Brahms stayed close to the Schumanns, assisting Clara even after Schumann's death in 1856. To earn his living, he taught piano privately but also spent some time on concert tours. Two concerts given with the singer Julius Stockhausen served to establish Brahms as an important art song composer.

Johannes Brahms
Major Works A German Requiem Hungarian Dances Variations on a Theme by Paganini 9 symphonies Other Works Solo Piano Lieder String Quartets Concertos Chamber Music