Brahms and Tchaikovsky: Titans in Tension

Though they are now both categorized as Romantic-era composers, these men created music that couldn’t have been more different.

Johannes Brahms (L) from 1853 and Pyotr Tchaikovsky from around the same period. PD-US

Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky were both born on May 7, seven years apart. Brahms, the older of the two, was born in 1833; Tchaikovsky in 1840.

Given this double birthday, it seems appropriate to write about their relationship. The two men exhibited a mutual respect and even met twice. They had contrasting musical styles, though, and didn’t care for one another’s work.