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Birth
Johannes Brahms was born May 7th 1833 in Hamburg Germany, the 2nd out of 3 children. (He had an older sister Elise and a younger brother named Fritz.) His parents were Johann Jakob Brahms and Johanna Henrika Christina Nissen Brahms, but he did not grow up in a wealthy family for his father was only an innkeeper and a musician. (picture: Germany's flag) -
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Johannes Brahms Life
Johannes Brahms was a major composer in the later Romantic period. He's one of the Three B's which include Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Johannes was a German pianist, composer and conducter, He composed many classical pieces, chamber music, choral pieces (although he did not sing), ballades and more! His whole life was about music for his father was a moderate muscian and he started the piano at a young age. Later in life he took on many tours throughout Germany and the surrounding countries! -
Early Music Studies
(when i say Jan 1st no specific date was found) At a young age his dad began teaching him the violin and piano. At the age of 7 he began his music studies with Otto Cossel, then at 10 years of age (1843-45) he began studies with Eduard Marxsen. He became quite an accomplished and talented muscian. As a teenager and in his early years he started playing at taverns (to earn money), and had some of his first concerts. (picture: young Johannes Brahms) -
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Early Music Studies
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World Event - Patented the Saxophone
On June 28th Antoine Joseph Sax patented the saxophone. This is a world wide event for the saxophone is an instrument played all around, and I think that this especially would have had an impact on a classic composer like Johannes Brahms. I think this because it would be this new instrument coming out, that is now known for playing jazz and for the world to be suddenly introduced to that would be pretty interesting. (picture: Antoine with a saxophone) -
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Music Career
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Meets Remenyi- First Tour
hungarian dance In about 1851 or the early 50's Brahms met hungarian violinist Remenyi which got him interested in that music (which inspired later compositions like "Hungarian dance"!) Johannes created some compositions and works with Remenyi and together they went on tours around Germany. (picture: Germany) -
Joachim, Liszt, Schumann
On tour with Remenyi Johannes met Joseph Joachim (a german violinist who became a good friend), Franz Liszt (a modern composer.) Later he met composer and critic Robert Schumann who became a very influential person in Brahms life, by alerting the public about him in saying he was a good composer, in a famous article. They became friends and Brahms wrote some compositions for Schumann. (picture: Robert Schumann) -
Robert Schumann's Death and Clara Schumann
In 1856 Robert became ill and Brahms being a close friend came to his side, and helped his wife Clara Schumann with things that needed to be taken care of after Roberts death. Brahms had a close relationship with Clara after her husband died. He might've fallen in love but they just remained close friends. ... Brahms never married although he had some short romantic affairs later in his life. (picture; Clara Schumann) -
Womens Choir
In 1859 Brahms conducted a womens choir and began working on more of his own music. -
Vienna, Mother passes away and composition of the "German Requiem"
German requiem Johannes Brahms settled in Vienna and began conducting more in the 60's. In 1865 January 31st Johannes mother pasted away and in 1867 he composed/released to the public "German Requiem." German Requiem was inspired by his mother and based on biblical texts. This was considered a great piece which included solo's, a mixed chorus and a full orchestra! (picture: Brahms on a poster for a German Requiem) -
Fathers death
When Brahms was about 38 years old, on February 11th 1872 his father passed away! (picture; of a middle aged Brahms) -
1st Symphony
Ist symphony In 1876 Johannes completed his 1st symphony that took a lot of years of work. Hans von Bülow (he went from Liszt's camp to go and support Brahms and began helping his career) considered Brahms 1st Symphony as Beethovens 10th! Brahms other 3 symponies (total of 4) followed in quick succession 1877, 83 and 85. (picture; Ist symphony review) -
2nd Symphony
Johannes Brahms 2nd symphony was produced! -
World event 2 - 1st Electric Tram
The worlds first electric tram went into service in Lichterfelder; which is near Berlin in Germany. This event I found interesting because it happened in Germany and would have been a major way of transportation and a big break through for transportation everywhere. Johannes would go travelling alot whether in the summer, visiting people or on tours so he would have needed improved forms of getting from place to place too. (picture; electric tram) -
3rd Symphony
Brahms 3rd symphony was created. -
4th Symphony
Johannes Brahms fourth and final symphony was made in around October 1885. Then he went touring through Germany and the Netherlands. (picture: Symphony No.4 music) -
Clarinet Inspired Compositions
In his career Brahms made a few violin and piano works and concertos. In 1891 or late 80's he met the clarinet player; Richard Muhlfeld who inspired him. He incorporated the clarinet into a few compositions like The Trio in A Minor, Op. 114 and 2 sonata's etc. Other composers overlooked the clarinet and didn't really use it but Brahms did and his were a success. (picture: Richard Muhlfeld) -
End of Music Career?
In the 1890's Johannes Brahms destroys many unfinished or "not good enough" pieces and was going to give up composing. That didn't last long because after he made a few more pieces. -
World event 3 - Motion Picture
On April 23rd 1896 In New York City Koster and Bials Music Hall were the first to display motion picture. The first to demonstrate the Vitascope system of movie projection! I believe this is an important world event because it changed a big part of our entertainment, our way of thinking and todays society goes around movie stars and famous people like that. (picture: movie being projected on a screen) -
Clara Schumanns Death
On May 20th Clara passed away after a few years of health problems, and around the same time Brahms himself started to deteriorate. -
Death
At the age of 63 Brahms died on April 3rd 1897! He died of possible liver or pancreatic cancer and was buried in Vienna in the same cemetary as Beethoven, Johann Strauss and Franz Shubert! (picture: Johannes grave) -
Bibliography
Google, and Youtube
http://www.biography.com/people/johannes-brahms-9223886
http://www.johannesbrahms.org/JBbio.htm
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Be-Br/Brahms-Johannes.html
http://www.classicalarchives.com/brahms.html#tvf=tracks&tv=about
http://www.brahmsmuseum.at/e_2_3_bio.html
http://www.historyorb.com/
