A look at the many aspects of Brahms’s life and music as seen and heard by the many interesting people with whom he came into contact – his life and music through the eyes and ears of his contemporaries. We will investigate the appraisal of his work by critics and fellow professionals, his relationships with other composers, his friends and enemies, and try to explore his somewhat tortuous love life. We will delve into the diaries and letters of Robert and Clara Schumann, Hans von Bulow, the great violinist Joseph Joachim and Dvorak. We will hear the acerbic opinions of Richard Wagner and many others. We will unearth some critical appraisals and, with portraits from close friends and colleagues, will build a picture of the life and music of this great genius from the perspective of all those who knew him.