Vienna’s long musical history has encompassed a number of fascinating what-ifs. What if Mozart hadn’t died at only 35? Or Schubert at 31? Or Hans Rott at the even more tragically early age of 25?

Hans Rott?? You can read his (perforce) short biography here. Together with Schubert and Schönberg, he was one of the few native-born Viennese composers (nearly everyone else was an import). The unhappy story of Brahms’ vicious criticism of the young composer’s first symphony reflects poorly on the older musician – though Rott being a confirmed Wagnerian and a pupil of Bruckner may have had a little to do with Brahms’ ill temper. Whatever his motivation, Brahms advised Rott to give up music. Was he right? Judge for yourselves…

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