Wednesday, March 4, 2009

James Galway

I was on my way back home from delivering that check I talked about yesterday - and no, I didn't stop at that other store (another time perhaps) - and was listening to classical music on the radio when I heard them announce that James Galway would be performing with the Houston Symphony tonight in Jones Hall.

Boy, that brought back a few memories! I saw him perform - I guess - about thirty years ago now. I was mesmerized the whole time.

I couldn't wait to hear which of his hundreds of recordings the station would air. When they chose Bach (not one of my favorite composers) I was more than a little disappointed but listened, anyway, because after all it was James Galway!

Who's James Galway? Well, he's an Irishman who has earned the nickname, "The Man With the Golden Flute." I have selected three YouTube videos to share with you today. The first two include stunning photography, which allows one's mind to dreamily wander off. Remember this post and come on back to it and listen again and again in times of stress. Very peaceful and calming.

Here's one of my favorites, "Shenandoah" ...



And another, Massenet's "Meditation" ...



Are you fully relaxed and about to fall asleep? Here's "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" to help bring you back to a full state of alertness ...



Wasn't that fun? I regret that the first part of the video really doesn't show his fingers flying over the keys nearly as much as I would have liked, but the last part does! Yowsers!!

3 comments:

Anonymous Me said...

I used to have one of his many records. Wonderful musician! Have you heard Claude Bolling? You might like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWn85KBmBE4

Craig Peihopa said...

James Galway, are you going to the concert?

Goldenrod said...

Hey there, Nancy! Good to hear from you. Yes, I have heard Claude Bolling, and I thank you for the reference. A good musician, as well.

And no, Craig, I did not attend the concert. Rather, I allowed myself a few hours of searching for whatall I might like to include in this post. Hope you enjoyed it!