Johannes Brahms was a German composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period, born on May 7, 1833, in Hamburg, Germany, and died on April 3, 1897, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. He is celebrated as a great master of symphonic and sonata style in the second half of the 19th century, often viewed as a protagonist of the Classical tradition of composers like Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Brahms was born into a musical family; his father, Johann Jakob Brahms, was a horn and double bass player. Johannes showed early promise as a pianist and began studying music with his father before receiving formal lessons from F.W. Cossel and later Eduard Marxsen. By his teenage years, Brahms was already an accomplished musician, performing in local inns and brothels to support his family financially.

In 1853, Brahms met the renowned composer and music critic Robert Schumann, who became a significant influence and supporter. Schumann's enthusiastic praise of Brahms in the periodical Neue Zeitschrift für Musik helped establish Brahms as a prominent figure in the music world. This endorsement, however, placed Brahms in the midst of the conflict between the "neo-German" school led by Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner and the more conservative elements represented by Schumann.

Brahms developed a close relationship with Schumann's wife, Clara, after Schumann fell ill and was institutionalized. Although Brahms never married, he remained a lifelong friend of Clara Schumann. Throughout his career, Brahms composed a vast array of works, including four symphonies, four concertos, chamber music, piano works, choral compositions, and more than 200 songs. Notable works include "A German Requiem," "Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80," and "Hungarian Dances."

In Vienna, Brahms held several prestigious positions, including director of the Singakademie and principal conductor of the Society of Friends of Music. His music, considered relatively conservative during the War of the Romantics, was celebrated for its rhythmic vitality and contrapuntal textures. Despite contemplating retirement, Brahms continued to compose, particularly chamber music, until his death. His contributions to music remain influential, admired by contemporaries and later composers alike.