Many David Austin roses are named after famous figures from British culture. For musicians – and especially for flutists – the name James Galway immediately recognizable.
The Northern Irish flutist Sir James Galway (1939) is one of the most influential flutists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. He is known worldwide as "The Man with the Golden Flute", a nickname referring to the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun from 1974.
Galway studied flute at various conservatories in England and France. From 1969 to 1975, he was principal flutist of the world-famous Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Herbert von Karajan. Eventually, he decided to leave the orchestra to fully focus on an international solo career.
That proved to be an excellent choice. His recordings have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and he has given thousands of concerts around the globe. Many people also recognize his warm flute sound from the music of the The Lord of the Rings-films by Peter Jackson.
On the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, David Austin named one of his most beautiful climbing roses after James Galway. At the Chelsea Flower Show, where the rose was presented for the first time, Sir James Galway was personally present. He enhanced the introduction with his characteristic flute playing. Even today, he still regularly gives concerts and masterclasses.
For us as musicians, the choice was quickly made: the James Galway absolutely had to be in our garden. It is now beautifully in bloom and shows why this David Austin rose is so beloved. With its large, soft pink flowers, vigorous growth, and delightful fragrance, it is a climbing rose that is not only a tribute to a great musician but also a real eye-catcher in the garden.
Curious about James Galway's flute playing? Then listen to these two well-known performances:
- Badinerie from the Second Orchestral Suite by Johann Sebastian Bach – a classic known to every flute lover.
- The Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolaj Rimsky-Korsakov – a virtuosic piece performed by Galway at an impressive tempo.
We sincerely thank Margaret Mathot and Hedwig Brieffies for their inspiring contribution and their enthusiasm for this special rose.
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