The Man with the Golden Flute: Sir James, a Celtic Minstrel
The Internationally Acclaimed Flutist Reflects on His Storied Career\ Sir James Galway is one of the top musicians of our time, with a dazzling career that has spanned five decades and many genres of music. Now he celebrates his seventieth birthday with a look back on his incredible career, during which he has traveled around the world many times over and made countless friends, including legends from the worlds of classical and popular music. He reflects on the challenges he faced coming...
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How did a young man with few resources rise from a poverty-stricken, working-class neighborhood, cheek by jowl with the Belfast shipyards, to become the most celebrated flute player and the most televised and recorded classical artist performing today? Practice? Of course. But as Sir James Galway reveals in this highly entertaining and moving autobiography, it took a great deal more than that. In The Man with the Golden Flute, Sir James looks back on a long life in the pursuit of music and the many people who helped him along the way, and tells the story of his great adventure from the very beginning. He reflects on the challenges he faced coming from one of the poorer sections of Belfast, becoming a leading orchestral musician, and then making the decision to go solo, as well as the milestones he reached as he made his way to the top of his profession. He shares delightful stories from his more than fifty-year career, during which he has traveled around the world many times and made countless friends, including legends in the music world, both classical and popular. Sir James begins with reminiscences of his youth, when his parents, avid musicians both, encouraged and guided his development as a flute player and made great sacrifices to make sure he had the instruments and the training he needed. He also recalls fond memories of his first full-time professional position, his first recording session, and his awkward response to the stranger who accosted him on the street to offer him the position of first flute in the London Symphony Orchestra. He reveals how a dispute with the legendary Herbert von Karajan at the Berlin Philharmonic opened the door to his solo career; how he met and courted a young flute player named Jeanne Cinnante and has been touring with her ever since; and how he became known as "the man with the golden flute." He also recalls the terrible accident that very nearly cost him his life and, without question, changed it forever. This stirring account is also a valuable resource for aspiring musicians. Sir James offers insights into what it takes to become an outstanding player and how to keep growing and developing as an artist long after your formal schooling is over. He also has plenty of tips on dealing with fellow musicians, orchestra managers, and fans. Complete with charming, sometimes hilarious tales of Sir James's performances with collaborators ranging from Mstislav Rostropovich to Henry Mancini to the Empress of Japan, The Man with the Golden Flute is a must-read for Galway fans, music lovers, and anyone who is fascinated by the life and times of the world's most popular classical musician. Library Journal Galway is one of the most recognized names in the music business, with numerous solo albums, a huge television presence, and an imposing touring schedule. In commemoration of his 70th birthday, he has produced this memoir, which should greatly please his legion of fans. Galway, a raconteur par excellence with a lengthy and illustrious career, has many entertaining stories to tell, beginning with his childhood in Belfast, continuing with his successes as an orchestral musician, and culminating with his pathbreaking career as an internationally acclaimed flute soloist. Readers will enjoy the numerous anecdotes of his relationships with the likes of Herbert von Karajan and Mstislav Rostropovich. Although Galway's discussion of his musical likes and dislikes feels somewhat superficial, flute players will be particularly pleased by the chapter on his favorite flute makers and models. The writing throughout is guileless, open, and conversational. VERDICT Galway makes excellent use of his celebrity status to promote classical music as well as such virtues as hard work and perseverance—good messages for all musicians. Recommended for general music readers.—Larry Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, PA
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Acknowledgments ixPrelude: Knighthood day 11 In the Beginning 92 Into the Wider World 393 Building a Career 614 Ich War Ein Berliner 915 Turning Point 1176 The Soloist's World 1377 Public Life, Private Life 1618 Inside the Music 1899 Pomp and Circumstance 21110 The Flute and Me 233Discography 249Index 271
\ Library JournalGalway is one of the most recognized names in the music business, with numerous solo albums, a huge television presence, and an imposing touring schedule. In commemoration of his 70th birthday, he has produced this memoir, which should greatly please his legion of fans. Galway, a raconteur par excellence with a lengthy and illustrious career, has many entertaining stories to tell, beginning with his childhood in Belfast, continuing with his successes as an orchestral musician, and culminating with his pathbreaking career as an internationally acclaimed flute soloist. Readers will enjoy the numerous anecdotes of his relationships with the likes of Herbert von Karajan and Mstislav Rostropovich. Although Galway's discussion of his musical likes and dislikes feels somewhat superficial, flute players will be particularly pleased by the chapter on his favorite flute makers and models. The writing throughout is guileless, open, and conversational. VERDICT Galway makes excellent use of his celebrity status to promote classical music as well as such virtues as hard work and perseverance—good messages for all musicians. Recommended for general music readers.—Larry Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, PA\ \
