Heinrich von Herzogenberg first established his friendship with Brahms as a student in Vienna. The relationship with the latter continued over the years, enjoyed also by his wife, Elisabeth. He settled first in Graz, before moving to Leipzig and then, in 1885, to Berlin, as professor of composition. A relatively minor composer himself, he and his wife did much to encourage a number of younger musicians.

Orchestral and Chamber Music
Herzogenbergs compositions include three symphonies, as well as quintets and quartets for various groups of instruments. In style he is largely derivative, influenced by his own interest in earlier music and by the music of leading composers of his own time.