In the 1850s, Johannes Brahms left his youth behind and began to establish himself as a significant composer. Although he considered himself progressive, he was unable to develop an appreciation for Liszt's music. After meeting the violinist Joachim, Brahms was introduced to Schumann in Düsseldorf.[4] With Schumann's support, he was able to publish his first compositions.[4] It is claimed that Brahms fell in love with Schumann's wife, Clara.[4]
Between 1857 and 1860, Brahms alternated between the court in Detmold—where he taught piano and directed a choral society—and Göttingen.[2] In 1859, he was appointed director of a women's choir in Hamburg.[2][4] These positions provided him with valuable practical experience and allowed him sufficient time for his own work.[2] During this period, Brahms's productivity increased, and in addition to the two charming serenades for orchestra and the colorful first string sextet in B-flat major (1858–60), he also completed his tempestuous Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor (1854–58)[2].
In 1861, he returned to Hamburg, and the following year he visited Vienna for the first time with some success[2]. After failing to secure the position of conductor of the Hamburg Philharmonic Concerts, he settled in Vienna in 1863 and took over the direction of the Singakademie, an excellent choral society[2][4]. His life there was generally regular and peaceful, disturbed only by the ups and downs of his musical success, by disputes caused by his own fiery temperament, and by the often intense rivalry between his followers and those of Wagner and Anton Bruckner[2].