Sir James Galway
Sir James Galway, "The man with the golden flute", a living legend, the most influential flutist of our time, celebrates 70.
To mark this occasion, Sony BMG will be releasing a special celebratory CD in his honor titled "James Galway Celebrates 70 - A collection of personal favorites". Among the nineteen tracks, especially chosen by Sir James, are collaborations with friends he has worked with over the years. Cleo Laine, Henry Mancini, Phillip Moll, Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, The Chieftans and Lady Jeanne Galway, to name a few.
Galway's artistic engagement across musical boundaries has been a hallmark of his music-making ever since he embarked upon his solo career in 1975. He has inspired countless flutists and music lovers throughout the world.
Coinciding with his 70th Birthday, and in keeping with his devotion to teaching, Sir James has been collaborating with Conn-Selmer, Inc. in the development and production of a new, high quality student flute – aptly called ‘The Galway Spirit.’ This flute has features that most pros envy - decorative rings, engraving and even a jewel in the head joint crown. It is wrapped in modern quality, playability and design and will be available through Conn-Selmer dealers worldwide beginning in September of 2009.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in conjunction with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is pleased to announce the publication of a new memoir from Sir James Galway. Entitled The Man with The Golden Flute: Sir James, a Celtic Minstrel, published in October 2009.
A new DVD with I Solisti Veneti, conducted by Claudio Scimone, sees Sir James performing the Vivaldi concerti alongside his wife, Lady Jeanne Galway, in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, Italy. This Hardy Classic Video release concurs with this year's events.
The music world salutes Sir James with a series of International Tours and Music Gala's.
The Birthday celebrations begin this Summer in the U.S.A. at Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony, Leonard Slatkin and friends; The Ravinia Festival with James Conlon, the Chicago Symphony, Lady Jeanne Galway and a special performance with two-time Grammy-nominated Cuban music group, Tempo Libre. The National Flute Association recognises Sir James with their Lifetime Achievement award and a weekend full of festivities in New York City, featuring the worlds largest flute event. He returns later in the season to perform with the Madison Chamber Orchestra and the Boston, Detroit and Dallas Symphonies.
The September festivities include a return to Sir James' hometown of Belfast, performing live on the BBC Proms in the Park with the Ulster Orchestra, The Chieftans, Lady Jeanne Galway and young flutists.
Other International concerts include tours of Switzerland, France, Germany, England, Ireland and Italy, where Sir James will be honored with a special anniversary concert at La Scala. There will also be celebrations in Asia, performing in Japan and Singapore.
Belfast born, Sir James went on to study in London and Paris before embarking on his orchestral career in such prestigious orchestras as the Sadlers Wells and Royal Covent Garden Operas, The BBC, Royal Philharmonic and London Symphonies, and taking up the coveted position of solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic under Herbert Von Karajan.
Since 1975, when Sir James launched his solo career, he has continuously performed with the world's leading orchestras and conductors, participated in chamber music engagements, popular music concerts and given masterclasses. From Galway's lips have come definitive treatments of classical repertoire and masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart. He also features contemporary music in his programs, including new flute works commissioned by him and for him by composers such as Amram, Bolcom, Corigliano, Heath, Lieberman and Maazel.
Sir James has played for such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, President Clinton, President George W. Bush, President George H.W. Bush, President Mary McAleese, Prince Charles, HRH The Princess Royal, The Empress of Japan, The Queen of Norway, Princess Diana, TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent, and most recently President Shimon Peres, and shared the stage with an amazing array of entertainers including Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, John Denver, Elton John, the Chieftains, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Jessye Norman, Cleo Laine and Andrea Bocelli. He performed with Pink Floyd in their memorable concert at the Berlin Wall, was part of the Nobel Peace concert in Norway and performed at the G Seven summit hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.
Alongside his busy performing schedule he finds time to share his wisdom and experience with the generations of tomorrow by conducting annual masterclasses, commissioning new works for the flute, publishing articles, books and flute studies. Both Sir James and Lady Galway direct their International Flute School in Weggis, Switzerland, each summer, which gives them the opportunity to personally nurture students of all levels. His website www.jamesgalway.com is devoted to all students, educators and flute lovers worldwide.
In New York in August 2009, confirmed Sir James Galway and the National Flute Association broke the Guinness World Record for Largest Flute Ensemble.
Sir James devotes much of his free time supporting charitable organizations such as SOS, FARA, Future Talent, Swiss Artistic Foundation, The Caron Keating Foundation and UNICEF, with which he holds the title of special representative.
Sir James continues to be honored for his accomplishments. In December 2009, he was appointed the first ever Artist Laureate with the Ulster Orchestra; was inducted in the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in June 2008 and was the recipient of the 2008 UMS Distinguished Artist Award at the 13th Annual Ford Honors Program. Irish America Magazine also awarded Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway the "2008 Spirit of Ireland" award recognizing them for their roles as musical ambassadors.
Sir James was named the 1997 Musician of the Year by Musical America and has received Record of the Year awards from Billboard and Cash Box magazines, as well as the Grand Prix du Disque for his recordings of the Mozart Concerti.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England has honored him twice: in 1979 with an Order of the British Empire and in 2001 with a Knighthood for services to music. In 2004, Sir James was given the President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy at the Grammy's 8th Annual "Salute to Classical Music." He was also honored at the prestigious Classic Brits Awards held in London's Royal Albert Hall in 2005, where he received the coveted "Outstanding Contribution to Classical Music" award.
As one of the most recorded classical artists 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. Through his extensive touring, over 30 million albums sold and frequent international television appearances, Sir James has endeared himself to millions worldwide. As an instructor and humanitarian, Sir James continues as a tireless promoter of the arts.
To mark this occasion, Sony BMG will be releasing a special celebratory CD in his honor titled "James Galway Celebrates 70 - A collection of personal favorites". Among the nineteen tracks, especially chosen by Sir James, are collaborations with friends he has worked with over the years. Cleo Laine, Henry Mancini, Phillip Moll, Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, The Chieftans and Lady Jeanne Galway, to name a few.
Galway's artistic engagement across musical boundaries has been a hallmark of his music-making ever since he embarked upon his solo career in 1975. He has inspired countless flutists and music lovers throughout the world.
Coinciding with his 70th Birthday, and in keeping with his devotion to teaching, Sir James has been collaborating with Conn-Selmer, Inc. in the development and production of a new, high quality student flute – aptly called ‘The Galway Spirit.’ This flute has features that most pros envy - decorative rings, engraving and even a jewel in the head joint crown. It is wrapped in modern quality, playability and design and will be available through Conn-Selmer dealers worldwide beginning in September of 2009.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in conjunction with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is pleased to announce the publication of a new memoir from Sir James Galway. Entitled The Man with The Golden Flute: Sir James, a Celtic Minstrel, published in October 2009.
A new DVD with I Solisti Veneti, conducted by Claudio Scimone, sees Sir James performing the Vivaldi concerti alongside his wife, Lady Jeanne Galway, in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, Italy. This Hardy Classic Video release concurs with this year's events.
The music world salutes Sir James with a series of International Tours and Music Gala's.
The Birthday celebrations begin this Summer in the U.S.A. at Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony, Leonard Slatkin and friends; The Ravinia Festival with James Conlon, the Chicago Symphony, Lady Jeanne Galway and a special performance with two-time Grammy-nominated Cuban music group, Tempo Libre. The National Flute Association recognises Sir James with their Lifetime Achievement award and a weekend full of festivities in New York City, featuring the worlds largest flute event. He returns later in the season to perform with the Madison Chamber Orchestra and the Boston, Detroit and Dallas Symphonies.
The September festivities include a return to Sir James' hometown of Belfast, performing live on the BBC Proms in the Park with the Ulster Orchestra, The Chieftans, Lady Jeanne Galway and young flutists.
Other International concerts include tours of Switzerland, France, Germany, England, Ireland and Italy, where Sir James will be honored with a special anniversary concert at La Scala. There will also be celebrations in Asia, performing in Japan and Singapore.
Belfast born, Sir James went on to study in London and Paris before embarking on his orchestral career in such prestigious orchestras as the Sadlers Wells and Royal Covent Garden Operas, The BBC, Royal Philharmonic and London Symphonies, and taking up the coveted position of solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic under Herbert Von Karajan.
Since 1975, when Sir James launched his solo career, he has continuously performed with the world's leading orchestras and conductors, participated in chamber music engagements, popular music concerts and given masterclasses. From Galway's lips have come definitive treatments of classical repertoire and masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart. He also features contemporary music in his programs, including new flute works commissioned by him and for him by composers such as Amram, Bolcom, Corigliano, Heath, Lieberman and Maazel.
Sir James has played for such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, President Clinton, President George W. Bush, President George H.W. Bush, President Mary McAleese, Prince Charles, HRH The Princess Royal, The Empress of Japan, The Queen of Norway, Princess Diana, TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent, and most recently President Shimon Peres, and shared the stage with an amazing array of entertainers including Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, John Denver, Elton John, the Chieftains, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Jessye Norman, Cleo Laine and Andrea Bocelli. He performed with Pink Floyd in their memorable concert at the Berlin Wall, was part of the Nobel Peace concert in Norway and performed at the G Seven summit hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.
Alongside his busy performing schedule he finds time to share his wisdom and experience with the generations of tomorrow by conducting annual masterclasses, commissioning new works for the flute, publishing articles, books and flute studies. Both Sir James and Lady Galway direct their International Flute School in Weggis, Switzerland, each summer, which gives them the opportunity to personally nurture students of all levels. His website www.jamesgalway.com is devoted to all students, educators and flute lovers worldwide.
In New York in August 2009, confirmed Sir James Galway and the National Flute Association broke the Guinness World Record for Largest Flute Ensemble.
Sir James devotes much of his free time supporting charitable organizations such as SOS, FARA, Future Talent, Swiss Artistic Foundation, The Caron Keating Foundation and UNICEF, with which he holds the title of special representative.
Sir James continues to be honored for his accomplishments. In December 2009, he was appointed the first ever Artist Laureate with the Ulster Orchestra; was inducted in the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in June 2008 and was the recipient of the 2008 UMS Distinguished Artist Award at the 13th Annual Ford Honors Program. Irish America Magazine also awarded Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway the "2008 Spirit of Ireland" award recognizing them for their roles as musical ambassadors.
Sir James was named the 1997 Musician of the Year by Musical America and has received Record of the Year awards from Billboard and Cash Box magazines, as well as the Grand Prix du Disque for his recordings of the Mozart Concerti.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England has honored him twice: in 1979 with an Order of the British Empire and in 2001 with a Knighthood for services to music. In 2004, Sir James was given the President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy at the Grammy's 8th Annual "Salute to Classical Music." He was also honored at the prestigious Classic Brits Awards held in London's Royal Albert Hall in 2005, where he received the coveted "Outstanding Contribution to Classical Music" award.
As one of the most recorded classical artists 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. Through his extensive touring, over 30 million albums sold and frequent international television appearances, Sir James has endeared himself to millions worldwide. As an instructor and humanitarian, Sir James continues as a tireless promoter of the arts.