The French Connection: Concert of 7 January 2007, Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University

	For Debussy's devilishly difficult Sonata, Jane Garvin, flute; Aaron Janse, viola; and guest harpist Kathy Kienzle take a brave go at it. Audience members expressed delight at the tone colors the trio produced.
	The second work on the program, the Milhaud Sonata, was inspired in part by the influenza epidemic of 1918 in Buenos Aires, where Milhaud was residing and, luckily, surviving at the time. Besides Garvin, who also played in the Debussy, Basil Reeve, oboe (partially obscured); Rees Allison, piano; and Joseph Longo, clarinet played this piece.
	A melodic and accessible work, Francaix's L'huere du Berger picked up the spirits this cloudy Sunday afternoon. Left to right, the players are Jane Gavin, flute; Basil Reeve, oboe; Rees Allison, piano; guest french hornist Michael Petrulonis; Norbert Nielubowski, bassoon; and Joseph Longo, clarinet.
	The last work on the program, Ravel's Introduction and Allegro produced the meticulous "Swiss clock works" that Stravinsky was to find in the Frenchman's works. Meticulous, shall we say, and rapturous? Players, left to right, are Michael Sutton, violin; guest violinist Milana Reiche; Aaron Janse, viola; guest cellist Jim Jacobson; Joseph Longo, clarinet (obscured); Jane Garvin, flute (obscured); and guest harpist Kathy Kienzle.
	Guests Gini and Roger Johnson, St. Paul (left), and Barb Bailey, Richfield (right) chat up the afternoon's wonderful music in the lobby at intermission.
	Violist Aaron Janse is congratulated after the concert by an appreciative well-wisher.
	Come for the music, stay for the creampuffs afterwards. We don't know how many come for the creampuffs, to tell the truth. But we always have something tasty for our guests after the tasty concert, too.
	Guests come from as far away as Africa -- and as close as next door. Left to right are concert-goers Khadi Rurimwishiga, originally from Senegal (St. Paul); her friend Aida Sarr, also Senegalese (Blaine); Barb Bailey, Richfield, who makes friends easily; and Khadi's husband Epitace, who hails from Burundi (St. Paul).
	Joseph Longo, the Offering's clarinetist, meets Khadi Rurimwishiga. He was already a friend of Aida Sarr, who calls him her "godfather."