Lady Jeanne Galway Artist Interview
Can you tell us about the first time you met Sir James? What were you doing professionally at the time?
Summer 1978, I was attending the Julius Baker summer masterclass in Brewster, NY. James Galway, as he was then known, was making his US-NY debut and stopping by our class on Thursday. We waited with great anticipation, as we all knew who he was and admired his beautiful playing. A lively man entered the room. My friends and I were taking it all in. He started passing his gold flutes around the room—no one had gold flutes back then, at least not in our class! He played the Carmen Fantasy like I had never heard before. My girlfriends and I had planned to go out to the local pub that night, as one of our group had a car (and a job)! I went up to Mr. Galway and invited him to join us. He said yes, took us out, and paid the bill (none of us had money!). After his performance, he gave me and a few friends a ride back to NYC. At the time, I was still a student but already busy in NYC, studying and performing. My focus was completely on the flute. Years later, I was playing with the NY Youth Symphony (solo flute, as I remind Sir James) at Carnegie Hall. As I was leaving, he was arriving to play a full recital. He said "hello." The next day, I received a call from him inviting me to lunch. We all knew he was living in NY, divorced, and quite famous. I accepted the lunch invitation to Fiorello's near Lincoln Center but brought my girlfriend with me. I continued to bring her to the next invitation, as I was not interested in a romantic connection with James Galway. So it was always us as a group playing duos, trios, etc., until a few years later... the rest is history.
Was it music that initially brought you two together, or something else?
Yes, our shared love of music and the flute, with all its beauty. My attraction to Sir James was that I had never met anyone who loved the flute as much as I did.
Before meeting Sir James, what were your career goals as a flutist?
My career goals have changed since I was young. When I was ten and made my first sounds on the flute, that was it. I was, as many of us are, transported into a new world, and I knew this was my world. I followed those dreams through thick and thin. As I was not from a musical family, I was a bit of an alien, but I was fortunate to find good mentors along the way who showed me my next steps. First, I wanted to be a teacher, as I loved sharing my love and knowledge of the flute, even at a young age. Then, at the age of sixteen, my world opened up once again. I was introduced to a professional flutist, Catherine Curran, a student of Kincaid’s, who really showed me what it would take to further my goals. She also encouraged me and showed me what possibilities there were. I listened, followed her advice, went to NYC, got a job at Lincoln Center, and my world opened up further—always filling my life with music and knowing everything was possible. I believe this is called growth.
How did they evolve after your partnership?
Life, when grabbed with both hands, is constantly opening up with possibilities we never thought existed. This is the story of my life with Sir James. I was young (23) when I met Sir James. My life in NYC was very full, with a schedule of teaching at various schools in NYC (including the Mannes College Prep and Extension divisions) and performing in orchestras and chamber groups. I never thought a husband was in the cards for my future—it was not one of my goals. I was so taken by Sir James' enthusiasm and love of the flute and music. This was the basis of our partnership and time spent together. He was so encouraging, his approach so simple and natural. We spent a lot of time playing duos and orchestral repertoire. He coached me to prepare for my rehearsals and moved my playing to a new level. This has been my life ever since. We have shared common goals: striving for excellence in all areas of our lives, enjoying our gifts, and sharing them with others openly and freely. I would say my goals changed by giving me the confidence within to go further on all levels in my life and not look left or right. Freedom within is more the word these days.
Looking back, how do you feel your musical path would have been had you not met him?
I most likely would have continued on the path I was on, with (at the age of 21) teaching at a good number of conservatories and schools and playing either as a NY freelancer or with a good job in a professional orchestra.
You and Sir James have performed together around the world. In your own words, how do you complement each other musically in a duo setting?
It is difficult to explain this in words. We seem to have grown together in every way, which is reflected in our playing together. It has taken time, as anything worth doing well does. I am a good listener and a huge admirer of Sir James' playing, even to this day. I have always sat back as a student, listened to his teachings, criticism (ouch!), that tone, his phrasing, etc., and still wondered how he does it. We are both students of the Moyse school, which I believe also gave me a good background for understanding and growing as a flutist myself, to complement his playing as a duo partner. The most beautiful moments now are when we play together, just knowing what the other is doing—without looking at each other or moving, but knowing the breathing, phrasing, colors, etc., that become one.
What have you learned about communication and creativity from working closely with him on stage and in life?
Yes, that is the word—"communication." We, as musicians, are the great communicators. We carry the message and intent of the composer. We are given the ability to do this through our striving to play our instruments with more freedom and control, delivering the musical message to the listener. This is what I have learned: the delicacy of playing a phrase, the use of colors to project a thought or carry out a line, when to pull back, when to go ahead, how to hear the note before I place or play it, and to enjoy the moments without that constant criticism. Just as with life, we learn balance with time. As the saying goes: "Give time, time." That is my advice to my younger friends. As Sir James always says to me, "Give your head a rest!"
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your relationship, both as a musician and a life partner?
Commitment, flexibility, patience, giving back, and love on all levels.
How do you support each other through the challenges of performing and touring life?
Positivity is the key—that, and being incredibly organized before you leave the house. Practice and rehearsals need to be all under control, schedules organized to a T, knowing when and where I can practice on tour, when and where we can eat, but most of all staying calm within the day and enjoying these incredible opportunities. Life on the road can be challenging, but also one of the most wonderful experiences one can be given in life. To stand on stage, play, and inspire someone who may be on the same path I was at sixteen—what a gift. Focus on that, and the rest falls in place.
How do you balance your roles as both a professional flutist and the wife of one of the world’s most renowned flutists?
Oh my, this would take a book. But in the end, it is again about growth and surrounding yourself with a tight-knit group of encouraging friends who help you, know who you are inside, and whose voices you hear instead of those other ones. I have grown into this place—it was very difficult in my earlier years. I was not accepted in many ways by many, and still to this day encounter terrible negative jealousy. But this has no place in life. I have an incredibly positive husband who encourages me in every way. I also know today that I have been given an incredible gift being the life partner of a very special man. We worked together to let go of the people who take away our energy and want to squash our dreams or happiness. We work on balancing our home life, creating a beautiful and welcoming home. We cook together, choose repertoire together, and organize our teaching courses together. That is the key: openness and honesty with each other. As Sir James says, we have a 24-hour relationship.
Are there moments when the distinction between personal and professional life blurs?
Not anymore. Years ago, sometimes, yes. But I have always known my place as his life partner: to support and encourage. We can learn to do this without losing ourselves. But I also have to sometimes stand up for myself, grow again—all done delicately, of course!
Specifically, how has Sir James influenced your playing or approach to music?
In every way. His freedom of the phrase, his knowing where the next breath is to be without disturbing the musical thought, that little bit of vibrato or diminuendo, the ending of his phrases, the clear tonguing that always carries through the music—it is never-ending. We are all students. Now I can hear the musical phrases within the phrase, the note before I play it, the color I would like—it is a magical experience I wish for all.
How do you inspire and encourage each other in pursuing new musical ideas and projects?
We have our own room or space in our house. We also love to read, enjoy gardening, and take holidays. The time away creates a freshness that allows new ideas to filter in. We also surround ourselves with friends who are on the same paths of inspiration and enjoy hearing new ideas, whether that be in music, architecture, or books. It is an exciting life if we let it be.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to other couples in the arts, whether performing together or not?
My advice would be to share together, never be envious, and be supportive of each other in every way. To create a beautiful home life that is open and loving, invite friends to dinner, play music together, and enjoy the beauty of the gift we have been given. Encourage each other, and learn to listen to each other. Never criticize each other openly. If you are asked for advice, give it with love, care, and delicacy. Understand the ups and downs. Never, ever take each other for granted, and always put the other first. Above all, thank God every day for this special and unique gift of love you have been given.