Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) was a German composer and pianist, one of the central figures of the Romantic era. Born in Hamburg, he settled in Vienna. Robert Schumann famously hailed him as a genius destined to give ideal expression to the times. Brahms absorbed the Classical legacy of Beethoven and the contrapuntal mastery of Bach into a deeply personal Romantic language.

His output spans four symphonies, two piano concertos, a violin concerto, the German Requiem, and a vast catalogue of chamber music, piano works, and songs. A devoted champion of chamber music, Brahms composed some of the most treasured works: piano quintets, string quartets, cello sonatas, and the late clarinet pieces. His music combines intellectual rigour with intense emotional warmth.