The works of Johannes Brahms are among the most consistent of any composer. His style matured early and then changed little, and his meticulous, self- critical approach never allowed publication of any work less than excellent. He was one of the seminal musical figures of the 19th century. Born in Hamburg, Germany on May 7th, 1833, he learned the piano from the age of six, first with his father (a double-bass player), then with Otto Cossel and Eduard Marxsen, who also taught him the composition and gave an all-round musical training. Brahms was a talented pianist, giving his first public recital at the age of 14, and making a living by playing in taverns and dance halls.
             The ancestors on his father's side were farmers and craftsmen. His father Johann Jakob Brahms (1806-1872) earned his living first as dance musician, later he had an engagement as contrabassist at the Philharmonic orchestra. In 1830, he married Johanna Henrica Christiane Nissen (1789-1865), his senior by 17 years. Johannes was the second child of the couple. Wilhelmine Elisabeth Louise (called Elise) was born in 1831 and the younger brother Friedrich (1835-1885) followed in 1835. All three of the children were talented for music, but Johannes grew into a pianistic infant prodigy. At the age of ten, he performed for the first time publicly, with fourteen, he gave his first own concert (September 21st 1847). In the following years he endeavored to make himself a name as pianist in Hamburg.
             In Hannover he was introduced to the violin virtouso Joseph Joachim, who was to become a significant figure in Brahms's life, Joachim arranged for him to meet Liszt in Weimar, where Brahms embarrassed himself by falling asleep during the great pianist's performance of his Piano Sonata in B minor. Brahms quickly won a deserved reputation
             for the frank, even rude manner in which he expressed his opinions. He was never very taken with the 'New German School' and later supporte...