A Taste of Spain: James Galway and the Ulster Orchestra, 18th Oct

[amcluesent]

What was going on, the interval seemed to be interminable. Problems in the hall or extended gala reception for Galway? Concert is a right dogs-dinner anyway, with Galway show-boating.

[edashtav]

What was going on, the interval seemed to be interminable. Problems in the hall or extended gala reception for Galway? Concert is a right dogs-dinner anyway, with Galway show-boating.

Oh dear, what can the matter be?

Why does James Galway take the low route, the cop-out, and the redundant arrangement? Why does Radio 3 collude with him by broadcasting him at his dumbest?

Rodrigo's Fantasia para un Gentilhombre is a neat arrangement of some original guitar pieces by Gaspar Sanz. One recomposition is sufficient, particularly as Gaspar receives so little recognition for his contributions. I can see no merit or need for another arrangement for flute rather than guitar. But... Sir James seems to need yard after yard of "mellow" mood music that appears to be new, but sure ain't.

It's a crying shame - Sir James has an outstanding ability to introduce a new audience to real contemporary music. Just the man to implement what Roger Wright is groping for and failing to deliver.

Come on, Roger - please commission something cutting edge for Sir James and pay him to play it.

[Richard Tarleton]

Another trip to IPlayer saved.

Indeed, saly, glad I missed this. Sounds a pretty pointless exercise. I love the Concierto para un Gentilhombre and have a favourite book of Sanz pieces including all the ones used by Rodrigo (the actual concerto a tad difficult ). Much of the pleasure of playing them lies in the elegant 17th century harmonies, the guitar being a polyphonic instrument. Presumably the flute just played the tunes while the harmonies were supplied by other instruments ?

It seems to me that once a musician becomes more 'personality' than simply performer the writing is on the wall.
Make your own list.

Go for it sal. As the list queen I think you should tee off!

[salymap]

Indeed, saly, glad I missed this. Sounds a pretty pointless exercise. I love the Concierto para un Gentilhombre and have a favourite book of Sanz pieces including all the ones used by Rodrigo (the actual concerto a tad difficult ). Much of the pleasure of playing them lies in the elegant 17th century harmonies, the guitar being a polyphonic instrument. Presumably the flute just played the tunes while the harmonies were supplied by other instruments ?



Go for it sal. As the list queen I think you should tee off!

No thanks Richard, that list yesterday was enough from me. Does Roehre know that imitation is a form of flattery ?

[Suffolkcoastal]

The flute version of the Fantasia was made by Galway with Rodrigo's blessing over 30 years ago. It was on the same LP as the Concierto Pastorale which Galway commissioned and was permiered in 1978 (I think). The Concierto is a real test for any virtuoso flautist, Galway boasted at one time I believe, that it was so difficult, nobody would be able to play it after him, the fact Galway played the Fantasia is maybe a sign that the Concierto is now beyond his powers?

[Richard Tarleton]

Thanks for the info sc, perhaps I should have listened to it before rushing to judgment

Mind you, according to Brian May (in an interview with the great Alan Titchmarsh at the LNOTP when John Williams was just about to play the C de A), Rodrigo - whom May also met - sanctioned this . You may remember the occasion - Titchmarsh asked May if Williams was "kosher". Why don't we hear more of Titchmarsh on R3?

I gather from one that knew Rodrigo (and his daughter Cecilia who looked after him in old age) that he was a lovely old man.

[Oliver]

O frabjous day! I discover that I'm not the only person in the world who cannot bear James Galway!

[Nick Armstrong]

O frabjous day! I discover that I'm not the only person in the world who cannot bear James Galway!

I have a similar sense of 'not being alone' Oliver - both re: Sir JG and that Rodrigo arrangement. The latter seemed to me to be so utterly lame that I restrained myself from writing about it, for fear of being compelled to use language unbecoming.

As regards the flute playing, it all seemed flat to my ears (that is when the vibrato was minimised enough to discern which note was being aimed at).

[edashtav]

As regards the flute playing, it all seemed flat to my ears (that is when the vibrato was minimised enough to discern which note was being aimed at).

As Georges Barrère wrote: "For three hundred years flutists tried to play in tune. Then they gave up and invented vibrato."

[Hornspieler]

As Georges Barrère wrote: "For three hundred years flutists tried to play in tune. Then they gave up and invented vibrato."

As my old friend, the late bassoonist Cecil James used to say .. "anyone can play the flute. Stick it out of the window and it plays itself.

HS

[Nick Armstrong]

As Georges Barrère wrote: "For three hundred years flutists tried to play in tune. Then they gave up and invented vibrato."

Never heard that one before... but never been aware of chronic bad tuning among good flute players either.

As my old friend, the late bassoonist Cecil James used to say .. "anyone can play the flute. Stick it out of the window and it plays itself".

Brilliant!