New Classical Tracks: Galway's favorites

Ask just about anyone and they'll probably admit they've heard of "the man with the golden flute." James Galway's popularity stems from his diverse repertoire and his delightful stage presence. During his 50-year career, he figured out how to bring classical music to the masses by blending it with other popular styles of music. Galway turns 70 years old on December 8th, and he's celebrating with a host of performances, and a new release made up of personal favorites recorded throughout his career.

Galway was raised in a working-class Belfast neighborhood where playing flute was an everyday pastime. Galway started classical training after winning a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music in London. After spending six years as principal flutist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Herbert von Karajan, Galway left in 1975 to pursue a solo career. James Galway seems to have such an amazing natural talent, but he scoffs at the idea that he was born to play the flute. He says it's all about practicing, a lot. One thing Galway doesn't have to practice is his casual stage presence. He's a free spirit in concert, and he really knows how to charm the audience. The pieces he's selected for his new recording "Celebrating 70," charm the listener as well.

My favorites on this new release include the Andantino from Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp, K.299 with harpist Marisa Robles, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner conducting. Galway's beautiful legato line is mesmerizing.

No one knows for sure who wrote the popular tune, "Carnival in Venice," but several composers have created variations on its theme, including one of the best Italian flutists of the 19th century, Giulio Briccialdi. James Galway drafted his own arrangement of these variations with the help of conductor Charles Gerhardt. In their performance with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Galway demonstrates his technical expertise as he easily floats through numerous quick passages, all the while maintaining the joyful atmosphere of the carnival.

Galway also knows when to let a gorgeous melody stand on its own, as he does in Jay Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell." This wistful lament is written in the style of an Irish air. Galway's famous sweet tone allows the listener to get totally lost in the poetry of this piece.

James Galway and his wife of 25 years, Lady Jeanne Galway, often perform together, as we hear on the Allegretto con moto from the Andante and Rondo for two flutes and piano by the Hungarian composer Franz Doppler. The magical chemistry between these two artists makes this piece even more enjoyable for the listener.

If you want to hear what James Galway's been up to most recently, check out track 16, which comes from Claude Bolling's Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano. This was first performed by Jean-Pierre Rampal 30 years ago. Galway had wanted to record Bolling's piece for a long time, but he didn't want to duplicate what Rampal had done. That's when his manager suggested he work with composer Jorge Gomez and his four-member Miami-based Cuban ensemble Tiempo Libre. This version really swings.

Sir James Galway, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001 enjoys his role as one of the most famous classical musicians in the world, but he keeps that in perspective saying, "I'm no Elvis." Yet, more than anyone else, he's helped to bring classical music to the masses. For a broad retrospective of how he's entertained some listeners and enlightened others over the past 50 years, check out his hand-picked favorites on "Celebrating 70."

James Galway -- Celebrating 70 (A collection of personal favorites) -- RCA 88697 422012).

(This episode of New Classical Tracks originally aired August 11, 2009)

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