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Top Honors for Sir James and Lady Jeanne
Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway received Irish America’s “Artistic
Achievement Award” at this year’s Top 100 Awards ceremony.
The presentation came at the end of the Galways’ six-week tour of
the U.S. which began in February and was highlighted by performances with
the San Antonio Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and a recital at the
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The Belfast-born Sir James, nicknamed “the man with the golden flute,”
is widely regarded as both a supreme interpreter of the classical flute
repertoire and a consummate entertainer. He has recorded more than 60
CDs and sold more than 30 million records. His wife, Lady Jeanne Galway,
is one of the leading female flute soloists and a recording artist in
her own right. The two often perform together, delighting audiences with
a rare freshness unique to the music world.
On their most recent recording My Magic Flute (Sept. 2006), Sir James
and Lady Jeanne, along with harpist Catrin Finch, transport
listeners on a journey through the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sir
James also delighted fans with The Essential James Galway (May, 2006)
which featured selections ranging from Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Chaminade’s
“Concertino for Flute and Piano” to “The Girl from Ipanema”
and “Riverdance.” Lady Jeanne’s chamber group
Zephyr can be heard on Winds of Romance, which includes works from Haydn,
Martinu and Weber.
As instructors Sir James and Lady Jeanne teach and inspire flute students
around the world through flute master classes and the use of the interactive
website TheGalwaynetwork.com.
The Galways are also known for their humanitarian efforts. They are patrons
to the charity Future Talent headed by the Duchess of Kent, and their
concert performances have included fundraising events for UNICEF,
SOS, FARA, and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Sir James and Lady Galway
performed at a fundraiser to benefit the University of Mississippi. They
also helped raise funds for the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
in Greenvale, New York.
In 2004, Sir James received the President’s Merit Award from the
Recording Academy at the 8th Annual Grammy “Salute to Classical
Music.” He has also been honored at the prestigious Classic Brits
Awards held in London’s Royal Albert Hall, where he received the
“Outstanding Contribution to Classical Music” award in recognition
of his 30 years as one of the top classical musicians of our time.
In April, the Galways will perform with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast
and Dublin. They will return to tour the United States in May, and while
here, Galway will receive the 2008 University Musical Society Distinguished
Artist Award at the University of Michigan’s Ford Honors Program.
For more information about upcoming concerts visit the Galways website at
www.thegalwaynetwork.com
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