Brahms, JOHANNES

Brahms, JOHANNES, composer, was born in Hamburg, where his father was a musician in the theatre, on 7th May 1833, and early began the study of music. In 1853 his performance of some of his first sonatas so impressed Schumann that the latter, in an article in a musical publication, prophesied the coming greatness of the lad. Several years spent in study and retirement preceded the publication of a series of works that quickly established his reputation as a writer of chamber music. In 1863-64 he became conductor of the Singakademie in Vienna, where in 1869 he finally settled. The leading characteristics of his works (which exceed the 'opus' number 100) are an ascetic earnestness and a regard for pure musical form, causing him to pursue his main idea throughout a work, while steadfastly refraining from exalting expression at the expense of beauty. Of all the composers of the present day Brahms is held to approach most nearly to Beethoven, not only in individuality, vigour, and clearness, but in the ideal scope of his melodic inventions. These last vary greatly, some being slight and simple, but are always matured and full of expression. His subjects touch every department but the dramatic. Over fifty of his works are vocal; as a song-writer he had latterly no living equal in Germany, and after his Deutsches Requiem (1868), his successive compositions were musical events. His technical execution as a piano-player was remarkable. He died 2d April 1897. See his Life by Deiters (Leip. 1881; Eng. trans. 1887), and Recollections by Dietrich and Widmann (Eng. trans. 1899).