Question 1

True or false: Brahms composed his First Symphony in his early twenties, following Beethoven's footsteps.

Accepted Answer

False. He was so intimidated by Beethoven that he waited until age 43 to complete his First Symphony.

Question 2

True or false: Brahms earned a living as a pianist and conductor, not just from his compositions.

Accepted Answer

True. He toured as a pianist and held conducting posts in Vienna, Hamburg, and Detmold to support himself.

Question 3

True or false: Brahms never married, despite having a deep, lifelong friendship with Clara Schumann.

Accepted Answer

True. Though he loved Clara Schumann, Brahms remained a bachelor, possibly due to his intense dedication to composition.

Question 4

True or false: Brahms was a close friend and collaborator of the composer Richard Wagner.

Accepted Answer

False. Brahms and Wagner were actually rivals, leading opposing camps in the 'War of the Romantics' over musical direction.

Question 5

True or false: Brahms destroyed many of his early compositions because he felt they weren't good enough.

Accepted Answer

True. He was notoriously self-critical and burned dozens of early works, including some string quartets and symphonies.

Question 6

True or false: Brahms wrote a famous lullaby that was actually a gift for a friend's newborn son.

Accepted Answer

True. His 'Wiegenlied' (Op. 49, No. 4) was composed in 1868 for Bertha Faber, whose son he adored.

Question 7

True or false: Brahms once challenged a music critic to a duel over a negative review of his work.

Accepted Answer

False. Though he had a temper, no duel records exist; this myth likely stems from his rivalry with critic Eduard Hanslick.

Question 8

True or false: Brahms was a lifelong vegetarian and animal rights advocate.

Accepted Answer

False. There is no historical evidence he was vegetarian; he enjoyed hearty German food and was known to smoke cigars.

Johannes Brahms Trivia Questions