| While many of us are stuck with the image of the old, bearded Brahms in our minds, in his younger days, Johannes (right) was quite the looker and probably attracted his fair share of female attention, just like John Mayer. | ![]() |
But Brahms was more than just good looks. This guy had soul. Brahms was a throwback, looking to the music of Bach to write truly heartfelt music in an era where contemporaries like Liszt, Wagner and Mahler were revolutionaries out to discover the music of the future. In an era where vocal hooks and sampled beats reign supreme, John Mayer also looks to the old masters, writing guitar-driven pop inspired by blues legends like B.B. King and rock gods like Jimi Hendrix.
And the similarities just keep on coming. . .
- Brahms wrote four symphonies. Mayer has released four albums. (There are also four Happy Hour concerts this season. Try to explain that coincidence!)
- Both men pursued secondary instruments in their youth. Can you imagine Brahms as a cellist or John Mayer with a clarinet in his hands? They both also started touring as teenagers. At one point, Brahms' teacher wanted to send him to America to earn that big paycheck. His parents declined, probably sparing Brahms future anonymity as a washed-up child star.
- Speaking of the clarinet, John Mayer's first instrument, Brahms took up an interest in the reedy instrument late in life. He came out of his self-imposed retirement to write some of his most moving music, all featuring the clarinet. Do you think Mayer ever tried his hand at the Brahms' Clarinet Quintet?
Both men shared an interest in older women. John Mayer famously dated Jennifer Aniston, eight years his senior. Brahms spent most of his adult life pining after Clara Schumann, 14 years his elder and the widow of the man who helped launch his career, Robert Schumann. While Mayer was never too shy to share the most intimate details of his relationship via Twitter, Brahms was not as forthcoming. While many scholars believe the relationship with Clara was never consummated, there isn't definitive proof either way.
For the full story on Brahms, check out Jan Swafford's fun biography. (Or get the lightning round in this article.)
As for Mayer? Well, there's always @johncmayer.
(Thanks to Alyson Ahrns for research and writing assistance.)

The entire concept for Happy Hour #3 was really born out of the idea that "Heart of Life" by John Mayer would make a great arrangement for orchestra. The song came on as I was driving to a gig back in December, and I immediately thought of the Happy Hour series. I called Nick Kendall and pitched the idea of doing it, and he said "Oh my God!"(that's usually a good sign). After that, I began building a whole concert around Mayer's tunes paired with classical selections.
Memory is a funny thing. 

Hi Everyone:
I'm quite excited to post my first blog! I'm not at all savvy about anything electronic, including but not limited to computers, i-pods, phones and remote controls. One of my colleagues reminded me of my "one to one" session with a "genius" at the Apple store where I learned how to turn on my i-pod. My husband, Jerry, who is the 3rd horn here in the Indianapolis Symphony, has thrown his hands up in despair after each of my button pushing marathons with the TV remote control. However, I'm looking forward to blogging! I've been a member of the ISO's 1st violin section since 1975, and there is little truth to the saying that "unless you're the lead dog, the view is always the same."
Have you ever had one of those days when you wonder where the time went? Well, that happened to me today. I was in my practice room looking over the music I have to prepare for a number of upcoming concerts, which is fairly substantial, and felt a sudden panic. Staring back at me from my stand are symphonies of Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, and concertos of Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky. All of which are to be performed with the ISO in next few weeks. When you add in my regular practice regime and a looming recital on the horizon, that is a lot of notes to learn in a short amount of time.
Betty Perry, ISO staff member and music director of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, is a finalist for the Inspire 2010: Power of Mentoring Awards to be presented by College Mentors for Kids, Inc. on February 24th at 11:30am at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. She was nominated by Donna Proctor at Marian University.







o consecutive years. In 2009, Hannah won first place in the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and the New World Youth Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition (junior divisions) and came in second in the 2009 Michael Ben and Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest, which earned her the chance to play with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Conner Prairie.

