Johannes Brahms gave his first concert on 29 December 1874, performing not only as a pianist, but also as a conductor and composer. Most willingly he gave concerts in Breslauer Konzerthaus, in a building at the corner of Piłsudskiego and Zielińskiego Streets, which does not exist anymore, and in the Oratorium Marianum of the University. In March 1879 upon request of the council of the Faculty of Philosophy, Brahms was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa for mastery of the art of counterpoint. The title was awarded remotely as the composer did not come to Wrocław, and he thanked the authorities of the University for the distinction, sending them a postcard with an appropriate text. The slightly shocked group of scholars – through Bernhard Scholz, a conductor of the Wrocław Orchestral Association – suggested a different form of expressing gratitude and then Brahms composed Academic Overture op. 80 (Akademische Festouvertüre op. 80), which was performed in Breslauer Konzerthaus on 4 January 1881. The piece – also called by the composer JanissaryOverture – is based on traditional student chants, and in its final part also cadences of Gaudeamus igitur are included, which became an academic anthem later on.