István Thomán had been a favorite student of Franz Liszt and Hans von Koessler was a devotee of Johannes Brahms's music. These two influences played an important role through Dohnányi's life: Liszt on his piano playing and Brahms on his compositions. Dohnányi's first published work, his Piano Quintet in C minor, earned approval from Brahms, who promoted it in Vienna. Dohnányi did not study long at the Academy of Music: in June 1897 he sought to take the final exams right away, without completing his studies. Permission was granted, and a few days later he passed with high marks, as composer and pianist, graduating at less than 20 years of age.