One of the promenades was the Prater, the town’s amusement park where you could ride a carousel, listen to wind orchestras and have a nice time at the pub with Sturm – the barely finished wine – and a hearty Schweinshaxe with juicy pork rind. Wine, women, song – of a kind that feels quite stale today. Brahms remained unmarried.
In the past, people talked about the music’s three big “B’s”: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Men who became white plaster busts and placed on the piano in every middle-class home, or even on a pedestal. Far away from a Hamburg guy who played the piano at cheap harbor restaurants where sailors and prostitutes flocked. But he had the skills and the will to develop his artistic talent to the maximum.
More about Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) had high demands on himself and worked on his first symphony for 20 years before it was released. At that time he was already a well-known concert pianist who toured in Europe and also composed his formidable first piano concerto and the best-selling Hungarian dances.
From Hamburg he had moved to Düsseldorf – where he periodically lived with Robert and Clara Schumann – and then to Vienna where he had his big breakthrough with Ein deutsches Requiem for choir, soloists and orchestra.
There were four masterful symphonies in total, often composed in scenic and idyllic spa and holiday resorts such as Wiesbaden and Wörthersee. When he died of pancreatic cancer in 1897, he was a highly respected citizen, one of the greatest composers of all time and an honorary doctor of music. But just as lonely as when he came into the world.
National Day Concert 2026
Enjoy a summer afternoon in the lush surroundings of Slottsskogen with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Choir and conductor Tobias Ringborg. Host is author Lydia Sandgren. This much-loved tradition brings together tens of thousands for an afternoon of relaxation, community and sing-along.
Isabelle Demers: Organ music from past and present
Organist Isabelle Demers performs in Gothenburg in a solo programme of female composers. Hear pieces by Clara Schumann, Elsa Barraine and Rachel Laurin from the 19th century to today.
Víkingur Ólafsson and Herbert Blomstedt
The incredibly popular Víkingur Ólafsson is back with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, this time with maestro Herbert Blomstedt. Experience a unique evening with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4.
Ein deutsches Requiem
Brahms’s magnificent choral work reminds us of what Christmas may be most deeply about: hope, humanity and togetherness. Featuring the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, soprano Christina Nilsson, baritone Christoph Pohl and conductor Marie Jacquot.
Mozart with Martin Fröst
Join in for mischief and play! Clarinet star Martin Fröst and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra play Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, a piece in constant motion. We promise a sugar rush and pounding hearts.
Listen
Let the playlist tempt you with the very best of Brahms.
The composers behind the most famous masterpieces
Take the opportunity to get to know some of the composers behind the most famous classical masterpieces and listen to their music. Maybe it will be the start of a lifelong friendship.
Read more in the magazine
Nr 2 2025-2026 Vem var Louise Farrenc?
Tonsättarporträtt: Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)
Nr 1 2016-2017 Tonsättarporträtt: Johannes Brahms, 1833-1897
En svårgreppbar man som inte lämnat många ledtrådar efter sig - mer än sin musik och brev till en kär vän. Katarina A Karlsson kikar närmare på Johannes Brahms.