1854: Brahms makes his concert debut in Hanover, performing his Piano Sonata No. 1.
1855: Brahms joins the Joachim Quartet, a renowned string quartet led by violinist Joseph Joachim. He performs with the quartet on an extensive tour through Germany and Switzerland.
1856: Brahms visits Vienna for the first time and meets some of the leading musicians of the day, including Franz Liszt and Antonin Dvorak.
1857: Brahms travels to Detmold, where he becomes the court pianist for Prince Leopold III.
1859: Brahms travels to Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, and Milan. He is inspired by the Italian landscape and culture, and begins composing his First Symphony.
1862: Brahms moves to Vienna permanently and establishes himself as one of the leading composers of his time.
1863: Brahms conducts the premiere of his First Symphony in Vienna. The symphony is a huge success and establishes Brahms as a major composer.
1866: Brahms travels to Switzerland to conduct the premiere of his Ein Deutsches Requiem. The work is a great success and is widely regarded as one of Brahms's finest compositions.
1873: Brahms travels to England to conduct the premiere of his Symphony No. 3. The symphony is again well-received, and Brahms gains further international fame.
Over the course of his career, Brahms traveled extensively as a performer and conductor, performing his music in major cities throughout Europe and America.