Johannes Brahms was one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era, whose music is admired for its rich harmonies, complex structures, and emotional depth. He wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano works, choral compositions, and more than 200 songs. He was also a virtuoso pianist and a respected conductor. He had a close friendship with the pianist Clara Schumann and the violinist Joseph Joachim, and he was often compared to the great masters of the Classical period, such as Bach and Beethoven. However, his life was not without difficulties and sorrows, and his final years were marked by illness and suffering. In this article, we will explore how Johannes Brahms died of liver cancer, and how his music reflects his struggle with mortality.
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The Diagnosis: Liver Cancer
Brahms had been in poor health for some time before his death, suffering from various ailments such as rheumatism, insomnia, diabetes, and heart problems. He also had a tendency to overeat and drink alcohol, which contributed to his obesity and liver damage. According to Wikipedia, he started to feel fatigued and ill at the end of May in 1896. He soon developed jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by liver dysfunction. He also experienced weight loss, nausea, itching, bleeding, and pain in his abdomen. He consulted several doctors in Vienna, where he lived, but none of them could offer him a cure. He was diagnosed with liver cancer, a disease that was incurable at the time.
The Treatment: Palliative Care
Brahms received palliative care from his doctors and friends, who tried to ease his symptoms and make him comfortable. He was given morphine injections to relieve his pain, but they also made him drowsy and confused. He was advised to rest and avoid exertion, but he found it hard to give up his work and hobbies. He continued to compose music until a few months before his death, completing his last piece, the Eleven Chorale Preludes for organ (Op. 122), in December 1896. He also tried to keep in touch with his friends and family through letters and visits, but he gradually became more isolated and depressed. He lost interest in music and life, and wished for a quick end.
The Death: April 3, 1897
Brahms’s condition worsened in the spring of 1897. He suffered from frequent bouts of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. He could barely eat or drink anything, and he lost a lot of weight. He became bedridden and unable to speak or recognize anyone. He was surrounded by his faithful friends and servants, who cared for him day and night. On April 3, 1897, he fell into a coma and died peacefully at his home on Karlsgasse 4 in Vienna. He was 63 years old.
The Legacy: A Musical Immortal
Brahms’s death was mourned by many people around the world, who admired his music and personality. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, who followed his coffin to the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna. He was buried next to Beethoven and Schubert, two of his musical idols. His grave is marked by a simple stone with his name and dates.
Brahms’s music has endured as one of the greatest achievements of Western art. His works are performed regularly by orchestras, choirs, soloists, and ensembles of all kinds. His music has inspired generations of composers, musicians, and listeners with its beauty, power, and emotion. His music also reveals his inner struggles with faith, love, death, and destiny. As he wrote in one of his songs (Op. 121 No. 4), “I am weary with waiting; death is my master; I shall not see morning break.” But he also expressed hope in another song (Op. 121 No. 1), “Though I must go hence alone; yet I know that I shall not go alone; for that which is most beautiful goes with me; God’s love goes with me.” Brahms’s music is a testament to his genius and humanity.
