Johann Brahms, composer

Born: Hamburg, May 7, 1833

Died: Vienna, April 3, 1897

Studied: piano from the age of seven and theory and composition (with Eduard Marxsen) from 13, gaining experience as an arranger for his father’s light orchestra

Early years: In 1853, he met Joseph Joachim and Liszt; Joachim, who became a lifelong friend, encouraged him to meet Schumann. Brahms's artistic kinship with Robert Schumann and his profound romantic passion (later mellowing to veneration) for Clara Schumann, 14 years his elder, never left him.

Assignments: 1859, director of a Hamburg women's chorus; 1863-4, director Vienna Singakademie; 1872-3, director Vienna Gesellschaftskonzerte

Compositions: Serenade No. 1, 1858; Piano Concerto No. 1, 1861; German Requiem, 1868; Alto Rhapsody, 1869; Schicksalslied, 1871; Variations on the St Antony Chorale, 1873; Symphony No. 1, 1876; Symphony No. 2, 1877; Violin Concerto, 1878; Academic Festival Overture, 1880; Piano Concerto No. 2, 1882; Symphony No. 3, 1883; Symphony No. 4, 1885; Tragic Overture, 1886; Double Concerto, 1887