Sir James came to town with his golden flute. Sir James Gallway – a.k.a. The Man With the Golden Flute – appeared at Toronto’s Koerner Hall on Saturday night before capacity audience. Just a couple of months shy of his 75th birthday, he is white-haired and walks with a bit of a shuffle. Yet he cut a fine figure in his red silk jacket, and there was a twinkle in his eye as he told the audience stories in his broad Belfast accent.
More to the point, he remains an impressive master of his instrument. Throughout the concert, his distinctive tone was much in evidence: clear, articulate, and as bright as the sun. He wasn’t always perfectly in tune (he tends to sharpness), but his big sound filled the hall with a presence and immediacy that made every note he played come alive. Moreover, he possesses such a deeply ingrained technique that his flute seems to play itself.
More to the point, he remains an impressive master of his instrument. Throughout the concert, his distinctive tone was much in evidence: clear, articulate, and as bright as the sun. He wasn’t always perfectly in tune (he tends to sharpness), but his big sound filled the hall with a presence and immediacy that made every note he played come alive. Moreover, he possesses such a deeply ingrained technique that his flute seems to play itself.
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