Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms was considered one of the 19

th
Centurys greatest
composers and one of the leading musicians of the romantic era.
Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg Germany May ! 19"". His
father was Johann Ja#ob Brahms. His mother was Johanna Henri#a
Christiane $issen. He was the second child in his family. He
had an older sister and a younger sister. His mother was a
s#illed seamstress. %hen Johannes was growing up! his father
was a musician and learned to play numerous instruments and
earned a li&ing to support the family while playing in dance
halls. His parents married in 1'"(. )here was a great age
difference between his father and mother! as his father was *+
and his mother was +1. ,t is reported that because the family
finances were meager and tight! and because of the great age
difference between his father and mother! Johannes father left
his mother in 19-+.
Johannes attended pri&ate elementary and secondary schools while
growing up. He studied mathematics! history! .nglish! /rench!
and 0atin. 1fter learning to read! Johannes became an a&id
reader and could not stop reading. He had a library of his
well2used and read boo#s of o&er '(( boo#s which are now at the
Gesellschaft der Musi#freunde in 3ienna. He too# many music
lessons. He had lessons on &arious instruments including the
cello! horn! and piano. %hen he was se&en years old! he was
taught piano by 4tto /riedrich %illibald Cossel.
Most of Johannes time was spent reading! learning! and
composing music as a teenager. He had a lo&e for fol#lore. He
especially lo&ed poems! tales! and fol#lore music. He started
to gather and compile a noteboo# of .nglish fol# songs. He
wrote an / sharp 5iano 6onata op. *! in 1'7*.
Johannes ne&er married! but after a failed attempt of ma#ing
Clara 6chumann his lo&er! he went on to ha&e a se&eral of
romantic relationships which included an affair with 1gathe 3on
6iebold in 1'7'. He lo&ed many woman! once to the point that he
had to deny a woman piano lessons because he was greatly in lo&e
with and attracted to her.
Johannes toured northern Germany from 1pril to June 1'7" with
his friend .de 8em9nyi He met Joseph Joachim while touring at
that time! who later became his lifelong friend! in G:ttingen.
He also met 0is;t and other prominent musicians. 1fter the tour!
Johannes went bac# to G:ttingen to stay with Joseph. Joseph
encouraged him to go meet more prominent musicians! especially
the 6chumanns. Johannes met the 6chumanns on 6eptember "(! 1'7"!
and became &ery much a part of their family.
,n the 1'-(s! Johannes style of music became more mature and
refined. %hile in 3ienna! Johannes met with 8ichard %agner.
)hey listened to each others music! and afterward 8ichard %agner
was #nown to critici;e Johannes wor#s! although Johannes
stated he was supported 8ichard %agner. He spent the latter
portion of the 1'-(s touring much of .urope to earn money. ,n
1'-7! after the death of his mother! he began writing the German
8e<uiem and finished a year later.
=ue to his e>periences with tra&eling and touring! Johannes was
able to collect a lot of musical scores autographed by the
composers that wrote them. =ue to his large circle of musical
friends! he spent a lot of time gi&ing concerts all o&er .urope.
His music and fame spread from .urope to 1merica. 1fter the
lo&e of his life! Clara 6chumann! died! he wrote his final
pieces. 1 year later! Johannes was diagnosed with li&er cancer.
)he 3ienna 5hilharmonic performed his +
th
6ymphony a month before
his death. He was gi&en a &ery honorable gra&e site ne>t to
Beetho&en and 6chubert! two composers that he had a great
admiration for.