Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/856981
56 / the tasting panel / august 2017 To be a great player, you need to make those reeds exactly right, says Jacob Lieberstein, oboist and City Winery staffer in Chicago. Q&A with JACOB LIEBERSTEIN What are your three favorite bands or artists? Hip-hop artist Mos Def, alternative band Glassjaw and the Chicago Symphony. I want to give props to Lora Schaefer, my teacher in Chicago and oboist in the Chicago Symphony. She helped me find the light within myself to balance my reeds, my instrument and my soul. What was the first concert you attended? The L.A. Chamber Orchestra at Royce Hall, UCLA. Which other art form inspires you? The culinary arts. I enjoy preparing meals at home as well as trying new restaurants around town. My favorite Chicago chefs include Stephanie Izard and Sarah Grueneberg. Which song has made you cry? Gustav Mahler's Adagietto from his Fifth Symphony. Gets me every time. Which song would be your "walk- up-to-the-plate song" if you were a MLB player? "Scarlet" by Periphery amps me up and makes me feel confident before I go into an audition. "Developing a deeper knowledge about wine ended up being a more fruitful use of my time in New York City than I expected," he recalls. "I had the opportunity to work at Fishtag, helmed by famed Greek chef Michael Psilakis. His 'new Greek' recipes with meat and fish came with a great wine list, which was a blast to experiment with in the pairing process." Though Lieberstein will retire from the restaurant world when he enters the Navy, he says his experience will provide the financial support neces- sary to further his "musical calling" and shape him into the best person he can be. He regards his co-workers and bosses as an extended family that supported him through his intensive music studies, as well as encouraged deeper exploration of the wine world over the past five years. He extends heartfelt gratitude to Robert Kowal, City Winery's chief winemaker and a classical music enthusiast. "The Navy had an opening in their music program at the right time for me and down the line will provide me with the option of continuing with the oboe, studying conducting or use the GI bill and completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. My family legacy in Naval service is the cherry on top to continuing my lifelong passion."