James Galway (left) and Jeanne Galway (right)
Irish virtuoso flutist Sir James Galway, nicknamed “The Man With the Golden Flute,” is set to perform at the Macau Cultural Center on Friday. The legendary musician told local journalists yesterday that his much anticipated recital will include classical and modern music, which has been extensively rehearsed.
Regarded as a passionate advocate for the making and teaching of music, Galway was asked about how he felt towards Chinese parents who push their children to learn instruments from an early age. He replied, “I think any sort of learning anything is a good thing. I think the first approach of learning to play music is rather like reading a book.”
The musician has toured the world extensively, having sold over 30 million albums. He often tours with his wife, the flutist Jeanne Galway, who will also play on Friday. Asked to reveal some of the concert’s highlights, she said that they will include the pieces Galway is famous for.
The musician-turned-educator also administers the Galways’ online teaching classes, and he talked about his online music course, a platform that allows anybody to learn from famous musicians. “The online series that we created has been a big success with older people who are just starting with musical instruments. It is enhancing the traditional teaching. We have one lady who started at the age of 70 and she just picked up the flute and has been learning online. It’s never too late,” Jeanne Galway said.
Sir James Galway was honoured twice by Queen Elizabeth II, first in 1979 and again in 2001, for his services to music. Staff reporter
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