Eugene weekly., February 08, 2007, Page 29, Image 29

BY SUZI STEFFEN
Teaching the World to Play
The Galways’ magic flutes at the Hult
S
ir James Galway, with uncountable
recordings and more than 30 million
albums sold, is a classical and
crossover superstar. The principal flutist for the
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under legendary
Herbert von Karajan in the early 1970s, Sir
James has also played with the Chieftains and,
perhaps most famously for movie fans, for the
music to The Lord of the Rings. But Eugene
Symphony Artistic Director and conductor
Giancarlo Guerrero knows the real reason why
seemingly everyone, from blues aficianados to
punk fans to those who usually listen to bub-
blegum pop, has heard of the flutist. And we’re
talking fuzzy puppets here: “He’s been on every
Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway
possible children’s program; I remember
watching him on Sesame Street several times
working with students is that “it’s such a huge
growing up.”
experience to put your finger on what they need
And now the legend is coming here, contin-
next.” On Sir James’ website (www.thegal-
uing the Eugene Symphony and Guerrero’s run
waynetwork.com), he and others host a “flute
of prestigious visiting musicians, from Yo-Yo
chat” wherein flute students get real-time ad-
Ma and Itzak Perlman last year to the Galways
vice and help with their music and careers. The
and Renée Fleming this season.
website also boasts a remarkable list of inter-
Sir James and his wife, flutist Lady Jeanne
views: Sir James with Renée Fleming; Sir
Galway, play a just-post-Valentine’s Day con-
James with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson; Sir
cert with the Symphony Feb. 15 in support of
James with up-and-coming flutist Emmanuel
their album My Magic Flute, released last Sept.
Pahud, and many, many more, all accessible to
by Deutsche Grammophon. With the
those who love the Internet.
Symphony, the Galways will be
That’s one way to broadcast
playing Mozart’s Flute Concerto
SIR JAMES AND
education and information,
No. 2 and Cimarosa’s Concerto
LADY JEANNE
GALWAY WITH
they say.
for 2 Flutes. “It was an unusual
THE EUGENE
“We try to share our gifts
surprise to have two Galways for
SYMPHONY
with everyone,” Lady Galway
the price of one,” Guerrero says.
8pm • Thur. 2/15
says, and Guerrero is pleased
“It is a great honor for me to work
Hult Center • $15-$75
that their knowledge will ben-
with him!” The concert will most
efit Eugene. Sir James is giv-
likely sell out, and Symphony
ing a master class for the students of UO flute
Board President Mary Ann Hansen can’t wait
professor Nancy Andrew on Valentine’s Day,
to look out into another full house at the Hult
working with Kristin Halay, the principal flute
Center. Of course, that’s nothing new for the
for the Symphony. And he’ll do a Q&A session
Galways. “I think classical music is doing
with the audience afterwards. He’s ready to
well,” Sir James said by phone from his home
give his advice to every student: practice, prac-
in Meggen, Switzerland.
tice, practice! When he was a young flute
Certainly, he and his wife try to help that
player in Belfast, he says, the flute was to his
statement come true; they provide master
lips “from the time I woke up in the morning
classes wherever they go, but they also work
until the time I went to bed.” Now, with his
with younger students. Lady Galway says that’s
busy touring, teaching and recording schedule,
part of the joy. “They’re so open and eager, and
he gets three to four hours of practice “on a
when a child succeeds, you can see them grow-
good day.” But all of those hours of practicing,
ing.” Both Sir James and Lady Galway work
not to mention his 32-year solo career and in-
with Flutewise, a volunteer-run organization
tense schedule, remain a benefit to his playing.
that focuses its efforts on getting flutes and in-
“He’s electricity on stage,” Guerrero says.”I
struction to low-income students and students
have the best seat in the house, and I’m looking
with disabilities.
forward to it!”
Sir James says his favorite thing about
ew
FEBRUARY 8, 2007 29