MUSIC - JANUARY 28, 2004

The Creole goes classical

The Creole Gallery picked the ideal group for its first foray into classical chamber music this Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. ($13, 498-9549) I wanted to call flutist Richard Sherman and oboist Jan Eberle the Romeo and Juliet of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, but they’re not lovestruck teenagers. Nor are the flute and oboe sections fighting each other, as far as I know. But it’s still fun to think of the two of them conspiring, breaking away from that mean old Maestro and all those crude scrapers, beaters and oomphers who just don’t understand the delicate, exquisite music they make together. “Let’s meet across the railroad tracks, at the old cigar factory,” I can hear them say as they spiral after each other down the Wharton Center parking ramp after a symphony concert.

The trio of Sherman, Eberle and pianist Kim Schmidt works miracles of timbre and sonority that transcend category. Sometimes they are ethereal, sometimes forceful, sometimes sweet as Karo syrup. And yes, they are jaw-dropping virtuosos as well. Sherman, in particular, handles his instrument the way the Black Knight handles a lance; you grow chest hair and muscle tissue just listening to him. It’s a great chance for the wig-wary to soak in an intimate, varied program of intense and moving music that just happens to be “classical.” – Lawrence Cosentino

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