Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) composed his Piano Concerto No. 1 in 1858 and performed the work’s debut in Hanover, Germany, in 1859, to mixed reviews. The work initially began as a sonata for two pianos, then a four-movement symphony. Under the counsel of friends Julius Otto Grimm and violinist Joseph Joachim, Brahms landed on a three-movement piano concerto. After its fifth performance in December 1861, with Clara Schumann as piano soloist, the work still received mixed audience reception. It has since grown in popularity and has been recognized as a masterpiece. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5): Solo Piano.