A Belfast Boy Who Made Good

Aine Fox Sat Down For An Exclusive Interview With Sir James Galway

A Belfast boy turned world-renowned classical musician - that's Sir James Galway.

Speaking from his 26-roomed mansion in Switzerland; he admitted "it's very nice, its so romantic here, we're surrounded by mountains, we have a swimming pool and a beautiful garden".

It is probably as different as he could have imagined from his beginnings in a working class house in Northern Ireland.

His father worked in the shipyard, a booming industry at the time, his family had an outside toilet and he certainly didn't have a swimming pool.

Although he visits a few times a year it is unlikely Sir James will ever move back to Northern Ireland permanently, "it is a question of being central to carry out your business, here I can fly to anywhere from Zurich".

The people he has met in his 30 years living there have played a huge role in making the country a home to him, "I've made some very strong friendships here with professional people, such as doctors, lawyers and bankers. That's what makes a place, you can go wherever you want but if you don't have friends it's not a place to live."

Galway currently lives with his wife, Lady Jeanne, a native of Huntington in Long Island. He met the fellow 'flutist' in America, and they celebrate their 24-year wedding anniversary this month. "I asked her out to lunch and she said yes, and we've been going out to lunch ever since."

Although he will turn 70 next year, Galway shows no signs of slowing down: "Its very complex my life, as soon as I have a free day I'm practicing for something else."

So the master of the flute still practices? "Of course, I practice every chance I get, right now I'm practicing for September."

September will be a busy month for the critically acclaimed musician as it sees the release of his new album 'O'Reilly Street', a recording made with Cuban outfit 'Tiempo Libre'.

The idea came about when Galway heard Jorge Gomez, one of the band members' music, and decided their style would complement perfectly the Claude Bolling suite which he had wanted to record for some time.

This new modern twist on the famous composition found confidence from the record company from the very beginning. "We made a recording of one piece in Miami and sent it to Sony, they came back straight away and said ok, let's do it!"

Tiempo Libre were a pleasure to work with says Sir James, "these guys have been hanging around with each other since they were five years of age. When they came in first they played everything from memory, it was a real hoot!"

So how does he think the classical purists will react to this Afro-Cuban fusion?

"There aren't enough purists around to worry about".

To those who do not agree with Galway's unique style he remains blunt, "I would like to ask them what they think I should do? They would probably say I should play in the old baroque style, but then I'd be imitating a style they think they played in".

Sir James is very pleased with the results from the collaboration, "I think it's great, I didn't want the usual bass, drums, piano outfit; I wanted different flavours."

As well as continuing to perform all over the world Sir James has set up The Galway Network to pass on his musical knowledge to the next generation.

A combination of online tutorials and a Q and A session with the master himself, the site is hugely popular, "Some people pass on really bad habits, I think I have something positive to say to the kids, there's nothing like working with kids to get impressed."

He is often sent records from younger people asking for comment and feedback and is complimented but says it can sometimes be difficult too. "It's great yes, but I hate to disappoint a kid when I think it's not really that good and they should maybe do something else. In those cases I usually write and tell them you know, that they should add an orchestra instead of a quartet or do something different."

Music was a family tradition in the Galway household, taught by his uncle Joe who in turn was taught by his grandfather, and part of a flute band in his youth, Sir James had a strong interest from a very early age. "I recall when I was about five or six a gypsy woman coming to the door, she was trying to sell my mother something and she said, 'let me see that young boys' hands'; when she looked at them she said, 'you know, he will be a very good musician one day'.

That day came for Sir James when, at 16 he went off to The Royal College of Music in London, and then Paris to study further when he turned 20.

The leap from Belfast to big city life never intimidated the young Galway though. "Nervous? Are you kidding? It was a big adventure!"

Presbyterian control of the school system at the time meant Sir James had a great knowledge of British history, "At that time you couldn't spell Sinead if it fell on your head! They really did brainwash you, but because of that London was living history to me - Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and all the rest".

Although admitting to not having had any real experience with sectarianism during his childhood, Sir James has played fundraising concerts for a cross community US-NI scheme, Project Children, "I still have the photo here in my studio with all the kids' signatures, I wonder what they're all doing now".

As well as that Galway returned to Northern Ireland in 2000 to play a peace concert in Portadown when tensions over marching season were at an all-time high.

Does Sir James see himself as an ambassador for his birthplace? "Well, I don't often get asked to do things like that, they happen more by accident than design. I don't set out to be an ambassador but wherever I go people ask where I'm from and I say Belfast, Northern Ireland".

Taking a light-hearted attitude to a once very dark situation, Galway has no problem crossing the divide. "When I mention Belfast people say 'Oh you must be a Protestant' and I laugh and say I am, but there's nothing I like better than going to a convent and being fed by a bunch of nuns - you're cholesterol shoots right up!"

Aside from still having family in Belfast, Galway remains in touch with his old English teacher from all those years ago. "He came to a concert and someone introduced him, I couldn't believe it. He is ninety-years-old, we have written letters to each other ever since and it's very nice to have that".

Among the many dignitaries he has met over the years, including various Presidents and other politicians, Sir James singled out the Queen as having made the greatest impression on him. "I've met her many times and she is always very well-prepared with her guests".

The knighthood in 2001 came as a great surprise to him, one which he was delighted with. "We were in Japan when I heard, the phone rang and a very British voice asked for me - I thought it was someone pulling my leg. He told me Her Majesty had personally approved it".

So with fans including the Queen, Sir James is showing no signs of slowing down. Birthday celebrations lie ahead "to remind me I'm getting old" and a lifetime Achievement Award from the National Flute Association will be presented to him next year. "I think so long as you can really do it, do it!"

The future still looks very bright for this Belfast boy.