Brahms' routine
"He was a very temperate man, although no one loved his beer better, and few could better appreciate a fine bottle of wine. Each day he smoked innumerable cigars, mostly of the large and strong variety. Usually he was a moderate eater, though at times his appetite was prodigious. His tastes were simple, almost frugal; and even when he became affluent he did not change his mode of living, or alter the regularity of his daily routine. He would rise at five or earlier, make himself a cup of very black coffee (he preferred his own brew, for no one else made it strong enough), and then work until twelve o'clock. He would saunter to the 'Roter Igel' for luncheon, never a costly meal, then walk for about two hours in the Prater, or, for a change, in the Wiener Wald or some other country spot, and then go to a concert or theatre, after which he would eat and drink at one or other of his 'taverns'. He never worked after midday, and did most of his composing standing up at a high desk, for he deprecated the assistance of a pianoforte in composition."
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