terms his son’s compositions.  This letter was sent to Johannes and the result was the offering of some of his compositions to Breitkopf and Haertel for publication.  He had already written two Sonatas, a Scherzo, and a Sonata for piano and violin.  The Sonata in C, now known as Op.  I, although not his first work, was the one in which he introduced himself to the public.  For, as he said:  “When one first shows one’s self, it is to the head and not to the heels that one wishes to draw attention.”

Johannes made his first appearance in Leipsic, as pianist and composer, at one of the David Quartet Concerts, at which he played his C major Sonata and the Scherzo.  His success was immediate, and as a result, he was able to secure a second publisher for his Sonata Op. 5.

And now, after months of traveling, playing in many towns and meeting with many musicians and distinguished people, Johannes turned his steps toward Hamburg, and was soon in the bosom of the home circle.  It is easy to imagine the mother’s joy, for Hannes had always been the apple of her eye, and she had kept her promise faithfully, to write him a letter every week.  But who shall measure the father’s pride and satisfaction to have his boy return a real musical hero?

The concert journey just completed was the bridge over which Johannes Brahms passed from youth to manhood.  With the opening year of 1854, he may be said to enter the portals of a new life.

He now betook himself to Hanover, to be near his devoted friend Joachim, plunged into work and was soon absorbed in the composition of his B major Piano Trio.  Later Schumann and his charming wife, the pianist, came to Hanover for a week’s visit, which was the occasion for several concerts in which Brahms, Joachim and Clara Schumann took part.  Soon after this Schumann’s health failed and he was removed to a sanatorium.  In sympathy for the heavy trial now to be borne by Clara Schumann, both young artists came to Duesseldorf, to be near the wife of their adored master, Robert Schumann.  There they remained and by their encouragement so lifted the spirits of Frau Clara that she was able to resume her musical activities.

Johann had been doing some piano teaching when not occupied with composition.  But now, on the advice of his musical friends, he decided to try his luck again as a concert pianist.  He began by joining Frau Clara and Joachim in a concert at Danzig.  Each played solos.  Johann’s were Bach’s “Chromatic Fantaisie” and several manuscript pieces of his own.  After this the young artist went his own way.  He played with success in Bremen, also in Hamburg.  It is said he was always nervous before playing, but especially so in his home city.  However all passed off well.  He now settled definitely in Hamburg, making musical trips to other places when necessary.