Track Listing

1. 1st movement. Siciliano. Largo
2. Act II. Scene 3. Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix. Andantino
3. Act I. Scene I. Casta diva. Andante sostenuto assai
4. Pie Jesu. Adagio
5. Act III. Scene I. Barcarolle. Moderato
6. Der Engel. Sehr ruhig bewegt
7. Act III. Scene I. Che farò senza Euridice?. Andante espressivo
8. 2nd movement. Lento
9. Wiegenlied (Lullaby). Zart bewegt

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22004 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-14
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This is James Galway's first CD with a new label, and it presents him at his most lyrical. Every selection is long-melodied and soothingly played, including an interesting transcription of the 2nd movement of Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez. Who would have guessed that a flute could substitute so handsomely for a guitar? Schubert's "Ave Maria" is mellow and sweet, Brahms's "Lullaby" is nicely accented, and he's well-matched with his wife in the "Barcarolle" from The Tales of Hoffmann. Two bonus tracks offer the world premiere of a haunting suite from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, composed by Howard Shore, and a new version of John Denver's "Annie's Song," perhaps Galway's most famous piece. Along the way, there's a mesmerizing transcription of Ravel's "Pavane pour une Infante défunte" (originally for piano), a moving version of "Che faro…" from Gluck's Orfeo ed Eurydice, and more. Fans of Galway's won't want to miss this relaxing, beautifully recorded CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

James Galway's triumphant Deutsche Grammophon return
Fans of James Galway may not realize that he recorded on Deutsche Grammophon in the past, as a key member of the Berlin Philharmonic during the early 1970s; this CD is a splendid "return" to this recording label. It is a brilliant mixture of classical and popular music, representing Galway's uncanny ability of playing superb "Mood Music", aided by ample orchestral support from the London Symphony Orchestra. Among the bonus tracks are a new version of John Denver's "Annie's Song" for which Galway has earned ample worldwide recognition and a haunting suite from film composer Howard Shore's scores for "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy, playing themes associated with the Hobbits and their beloved The Shire.

Some Good Galway Crossover Selections
This new recording Sir James's First for DG in quite a long time.

Is a selection of uplifting pieces of music arrainged for flute

and orchestra. Ably abbetted by the LSO and assisted by his wife

Jeanne, who plays quite well too, Sir James shows that he can

still play the flute and the tin whistle with more than enough

talent and feeling. While some people may condemn this as "mood"

music, I find it quite refreshing. Although I can still hope that

there will be a couple recordings of flute concerti comming from

Mr. Galway in the near future. I have never had a problem with

classical artists doing what is now called "Crossover" I think

it gives them a much needed change of pace. After all one can

only play the classic flute liturature so much, and Sir James is

not the first solo artist to make such recordings. His

His performances of the selections on this CD are all quite good

to say the least. My favorites are the "Barcarolle" and "Annies

Song" and the Schubert "Ave Maria", which I think is the best

instrumental recording of this work since Isaac Stern's violin

recording for CBS. Klauspeter Siebel and the London Symphony

Orchestra do a wonderful job accompaning him in these works.

The recorded sound is more than acceptable and I can only hope

that this will be the first of many new James Galway CD's from

DG. Perhaps Sir James can do a disc or Two with the London

Mozart Players as well for DG too>

Soothing...
I suppose that James Galway is about the most reknowned flautist of our time. I would file this CD under the category of "light" classics. As such, it is a masterpiece. Not only does every track feature a beautiful melody, but as a whole the recording creates a mood of peace and calm. It is utterly soothing and relaxing. Of special interest for all of you "Lord of the Rings" is a suite based on thems from the movie trilogy. It has an appealing Celtic feel.

This CD takes you from the busy world and puts you out in "space".