Dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-splat

“I also like to play the famous tunes because there’s nothing like inspiring a whole bunch of kids who are struggling to play these pieces on flute.  And then they see me ripping through them.  They all want to play Flight of the Bumblebee when they’re 11 years Old.  And it goes something like “dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-splat!” And then I come along and rip through it, and they’re blown away.”

Sir James Galway, Flautist.

Merson, Francis.  “The Galway Spirit”, Limelight, October 2010, p.19.


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