Music: The Oboe Brothers

Oboe playing, like bird watching and taffy pulling, is a passion that seems to run in families. The earliest famous oboe clan was that of Frenchman Jean Philidor, who played at the court of Louis XIV; after him, seven other Philidors put lip to reed. Today the reigning oboe family in the U.S. goes by the name of Gomberg: Harold, 42, is first oboist of the New York Philharmonic; Ralph, 37. is first oboist of the Boston Symphony. One night last week, at precisely the same hour, the Brothers Gomberg appeared before the men of their respective orchestras to perform...