With an Air of Auditory Perfection

With eyes reflective of a searching bee, the expert musician searches the spacious abyss as he tunes his instrument. Sharp, focused and altogether contemplative, he prepares a perfect measure of sound that would escape more than the vast majority.

When finally satisfied, he sets his colossal apparatus aside and mentally prepares while his equally impressive colleague looks on in his own mental preparation.

These were Andre Tarantiles and Mark Snyder on the evening of Sunday, November 29th, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Marine Park, Brooklyn.

For the fourteenth year now, the parish has been running its classical program, for which its Director of Music Ministries and organist, Michael Fontana, has consistently collected impressive talents of world-renown.

On this eve, the respective instruments showcased were the oboe and English horn, played by Snyder; and the harp, by Tarantiles.

They began their exquisite concert with the Baroque symphony of “Arioso for Oboe and Harp” by Joseph Hector Fiocco, though truly shone once they began their second number: the hauntingly romantic “Two Medieval Dances” –in adagio and allegro deciso – by Michael Amorosi. From the first moment the oboe touched Snyder’s lips, emitting a tender, playful, swooning howl, the audience sat transfixed and alert in curious awe, only to be mercifully subdued by the positively heavenly sounds of the harp.

They continued the contemporary theme begun by Amorosi with a “Sonata for English Horn and Harp” in moderato, lento and allegro by Robert Edward Smith. 1xbet casino Though these were splendidly played and the respective musicians deserve mountains praise, the composition of the pieces often more resembled a score than a stand-alone number.

Thankfully, they soon returned to the classics, after a delightful presentation of Bernard Andres’ “Algues” and “Two Concert Etudes for the Solo Harp” by Alphonse Hasselmans.

The concluding symphony was Antonio Pasculli’s – often hailed as the “Paganini of the Oboe” – “Hommage a Bellini” for the English horn and harp. Borrowing from two of Puccini’s famed arias, this piece was perhaps the perfect farewell to the evening, as it brilliantly showcased the breadth of talent within each musician. Snyder’s remarkable machinations on the English horn were delivered with such ease, grace and agility that the question of trouble or practice would never cross a listener’s mind. العاب قمار He was born with the ability to produce these impeccable sounds, as was Tarantiles. 888 casino

The symphonies were selected for their emphasis on the chosen instruments, though fans of more renowned faire may be tempted to return for the two remaining shows, as vocal performers are due to be featured next Sunday in “Vocalese;” with the first part Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” serving as the concluding performance for this season.

If two such spectacular specialists can stir such sweet surrender, then imagine the soulful stimulation of a symphonic set.

Certified serenity.

Photo taken by Erin Gilliland.