The Man with the Golden Flute: Sir James, a Celtic Minstrel

by James Galway, Linda Bridges (With)

Overview

The internationally acclaimed, widely beloved 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 from the poverty of working-class Belfast and making the decision to go solo as a flutist, as well as the triumphs as he made his way to the top of his profession.

• Offers a rare, personal glimpse at the life of a modern musical master whose work has ranged across the musical spectrum with collaborators as diverse as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chieftains, John Denver, and Pink Floyd
• Includes delightful stories from Galway's career of more than fifty years
• Shares the challenges of touring and of melding public and private life

By turns witty and informative, engaging and inspiring, The Man with the Golden Flute is a captivating read for fans of Galway and his music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470503911
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/01/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	412,638
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Sir James Galway, nicknamed "the man with the golden flute," is widely regarded as both a supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and a consummate entertainer whose appeal crosses all musical boundaries. As the most televised and recorded classical artist performing today, Sir James has made himself a legend, a modern musical master whose virtuosity on the flute is equaled only by his limitless ambitions and vision.

Linda Bridges is coauthor with John R. Coyne Jr. of Strictly Right: William F. Buckley Jr. and the American Conservative Movement.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments.

PRELUDE: KNIGHTHOOD DAY.

1 IN THE BEGINNING.

2 INTO THE WIDER WORLD.

3 BUILDING A CAREER.

4 ICH WAR EIN BERLINER.

5 TURNING POINT.

6 THE SOLOIST’S WORLD.

7 PUBLIC LIFE, PRIVATE LIFE.

8 INSIDE THE MUSIC.

9 POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.

10 THE FLUTE AND ME.

Discography.

Index.

Editorial Reviews

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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