OnMusic Dictionary

Composer

Johannes Brahms

Info

Born 05/07/1833
Birth Location Hamburg, Germany
Died 04/03/1897
Death Location Vienna, Austria
Nationality Germany
Era Romantic
Genres Vocal, Orchestral, Chamber, Choral, Piano

Biography

Brahms was born into a poor family. His father was a double bass player and his mother a seamstress. His father recognized his son's talents when he was quite young. Brahms' parents emphasized education, studying piano at the age of seven and theory and composition at age 13. Brahms supported himself by playing at bars. By doing this he was able to study music. His first public performance as a solo pianist was in 1847 at the age of 14. In 1948 he was making his living by playing in taverns and dance halls.

Brahms was very close to Robert and Clara Schumann. Clara and Johannes fell in love with each other, yet their relationship was strictly platonic. Even after Robert's death, their special relationship continued. He fell in love with several women but always backed out before the relationship turned to marriage. The early works of Brahms had primarily been chamber works, concertos, piano music, and choral pieces. When he served as music master to the Prince of Lippe-Detmold in 1857, he began to compose symphonies. Brahms received an honorary degree from Cambridge University before dying of liver cancer.

Main Works

Orchestral Music:
4 Symphonies
2 Serenades
2 Piano Concertos
Academic Festival Overture
Tragic Overture
Hungarian Dances

Vocal Music:
Liebeslieder Waltzes
Zigeunerlieder
4 Ernste Gesänge (4 Serious Songs)
Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes

Choral Music:
Ein Deutsches Requiem
Rhapsody (Alto Rhapsody)
Song of Fate
Song of Triumph

Chamber Music:
3 String Quartets
3 Violin Sonatas
2 String Quintet
3 Piano Quartets
3 Piano Trios

Last Updated: 2016-06-20 14:23:48

Composer

Johannes Brahms

Info

Biography

Main Works

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