James Galway at the BBC

[MrGongGong]

This would be 'Einstieg' perhaps? Released in 1971 and available in full on YouTube.

Yes, that's the one
though it's not that great if I remember rightly ?

[Conchis]

Is Jimmy Galway as good as flautist as, say, Ian Anderson?

I ask because I’ve never really paid that much attention to the flute. I think it’s an instrument that sounds interesting when abused, as in early Jethro Tull, or in Roland Kirk’s very reedy playing (which, of course, influenced the Tull approach).

Galways may not be the greatest flautist in the world, but he’s probably the richest. And that surely has as much to do with his glad-handing, go-getting personality as it does with his embouchere.

HvK: ‘Herr Galway, the BPO has not received your signed contract of employment. May I remind you, Herr Galway, that in German law, a successful applicant is LEGALLY OBLIGED to take up an offer of employment.’

JG: ‘And who’s German around here, Herbie?’

(Sic).

[ardcarp]

Galway may not be the greatest flautist in the world, but he’s probably the richest.

He probably found himself a good agent! However, whether or not one likes his rich, vibrato-laden tone, he was/is undoubtedly a 'great' flautist, combining technical mastery with amazing musicianship. You don't get to be principal flautist of the BPO for nothing.

[cloughie]

He probably found himself a good agent! However, whether or not one likes his rich, vibrato-laden tone, he was/is undoubtedly a 'great' flautist, combining technical mastery with amazing musicianship. You don't get to be principal flautist of the BPO for nothing.

Nor do you become the richest flautist without being at the top of your trade. He probably is the greatest flautist.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Nor do you become the richest flautist without being at the top of your trade. He probably is the greatest flautist.

Ooh, I dunno. Liberace had a bigger bank account than Horowitz.

[Dave2002]

Is Jimmy Galway as good as flautist as, say, Ian Anderson?

I ask because I’ve never really paid that much attention to the flute. I think it’s an instrument that sounds interesting when abused, as in early Jethro Tull, or in Roland Kirk’s very reedy playing (which, of course, influenced the Tull approach).

Galways may not be the greatest flautist in the world, but he’s probably the richest. And that surely has as much to do with his glad-handing, go-getting personality as it does with his embouchere.

HvK: ‘Herr Galway, the BPO has not received your signed contract of employment. May I remind you, Herr Galway, that in German law, a successful applicant is LEGALLY OBLIGED to take up an offer of employment.’

JG: ‘And who’s German around here, Herbie?’

(Sic).

https://youtu.be/WsL2I_Fwor8 Eric Anderson. Maybe JG could play like that if he wanted to. A different style.

Try Roland Kirk - https://youtu.be/BsaxODHI3fA

Eric Dolphy was pretty good - https://youtu.be/WNWjaQNurOI

James Galway is very good, though I find his vibrato too tiring. There are other classical players who don't (or didn't) have this issue. Sometimes one hears a flute player whose performances just stand out - as in one concert I went to by the Gothenburg SO.

[oddoneout]

Nor do you become the richest flautist without being at the top of your trade. He probably is the greatest flautist.

I think I would settle for 'most successful' rather than 'greatest'. And that is not intended in a negative sense; I happen to prefer other performers, but by being so high profile and willing to stray outside the 'classical' compound his legacy has been a useful one in my opinion.

[cloughie]

I think I would settle for 'most successful' rather than 'greatest'. And that is not intended in a negative sense; I happen to prefer other performers, but by being so high profile and willing to stray outside the 'classical' compound his legacy has been a useful one in my opinion.

Yes, fine, the term ‘greatest’ is bound to be subjective anyway.

[cloughie]

https://youtu.be/WsL2I_Fwor8 Eric Anderson. Maybe JG could play like that if he wanted to. A different style.

Try Roland Kirk - https://youtu.be/BsaxODHI3fA

Eric Dolphy was pretty good - https://youtu.be/WNWjaQNurOI

James Galway is very good, though I find his vibrato too tiring. There are other classical players who don't (or didn't) have this issue. Sometimes one hears a flute player whose performances just stand out - as in one concert I went to by the Gothenburg SO.

‘Standing out’ can be good or bad depending on the piece being performed!

[Richard Tarleton]

Looking at Gareth Morris's (a stout defender of the wooden flute, I seem to remember) Wiki page, I'm amazed to see he was the brother of Jan Morris.....I never knew that. He also "eschewed excessive vibrato"

[Dave2002]

‘Standing out’ can be good or bad depending on the piece being performed!

At the particular concert I mentioned the flute player was superb. I don't know how or why. As I played flute in the past I have an interest, but others without such an interest also commented on how the flute in that particular concert just made the whole event more enjoyable.

Good players can play in different ways, and sometimes they may want to add colour to an orchestal palette, and other times they may want to blend in. Perhaps it also depends on their relationship with the conductor. Conductors may not always want to work with players who generally want to have the limelight.

[Conchis]

I saw Jimmy's set of Mozart Concertos in a charity shop today. I didn't buy them.

I don't own anything of his. I do find that his name and glad-handing crossover persona put me off somewhat. I'm sure I'm being unfair.

[Bryn]

I saw Jimmy's set of Mozart Concertos in a charity shop today. I didn't buy them.

I don't own anything of his. I do find that his name and glad-handing crossover persona put me off somewhat. I'm sure I'm being unfair.

Don't be so sure. His Mozart I find an abomination.

[visualnickmos]

Rampal; Adeney; the only flautists you'll ever need.

[Bryn]

Rampal; Adeney; the only flautists you'll ever need.

Of players of the modern flute, Severino Gazeloni was and remains high in my estimation. For baroque flutes, the names of Lisa Beznosiuk and Barthold Kuijken spring to mind, then there are the like of the fluter Matt Malloy who, when I interviewed him back in the erly '90s, described and demonstrated vividly how his disdain for excessive fingering and favour for lip technique in acquiring 'difficult' notes, portamenti etc.