Sir James Galway

Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple

Review: John Harvey

UNFORTUNATELY Lady Jeanne Galway was indisposed and could not join her husband in this concert. However, much as we would have enjoyed hearing her, Sir James (right) and Michael McHale did not allow her absence to detract from what was a memorable concert.

This programme gave us such variation. We had amazing virtuosity from Sir James in Briccialdi's flute variations for the Carnival of Venice which was followed later by piano and flute combining exquisitely in Debussy's Clair de Lune.

Michael McHale then demonstrated his pedigree as a soloist with his Verdi/ Liszt offering which thrilled us all.

Add to the above Borne's Fantaisie Brillante on Bizet's Carmen, giving us all the well known tunes, superbly played by our famous flautist and one would think our musical treat was over — not so — a delightful encore was to follow.

Firstly a poignant rendering of Danny Boy and then, to my delight, Debussy's La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair), one of the loveliest melodies ever, lovingly caressed by a great artist.

Such a shame this concert had to end — this was music making at its very best.