Friedrich Robert Volkmann (1815-1883), was a German composer.When he finished his studies, he began working as voice teacher at a music school in Prague. He did not stay there long, and in 1841 he moved to Budapest where he was employed as a piano teacher and a reporter.He composed in virtual obscurity until 1852, when his Piano Trio in B-flat minor caught the ears of Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow, who proceeded to play it several times all over Europe. In 1854 Volkmann moved to Vienna, only to return to Budapest in 1858.While visiting Vienna in 1864, Volkmann became acquainted with Johannes Brahms, and they became close friends.In the 1870s Volkmann began winding down his life, composing very little. From 1875 until his death, Volkmann was professor of harmony and counterpoint at the National Academy of Music in Budapest. (Franz Liszt was the director there).