SO MANY accolades have been heaped on Sir James Galway he could be forgiven for being a tad aloof being interviewed by someone with schoolgirl knowledge of Mozart's music, who can't play an instrument and only really aspires to enjoy Classic FM.

His fabulous career has seen him progress from playing a penny whistle as a child in his native Belfast to being The Man with the Golden Flute.

But Sir James has no trace of pomposity, he is a joy to talk to and his verve and passion for music sizzle down the phone as we chat.

This year is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth and the Galway diary is bursting with concerts reflecting this event. On Saturday he is conducting and playing at Fairfield Hall with the London Mozart Players.

He shares the spotlight with young harpist Catrin Finch (pictured, inset), for Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto.

"I've chosen Mozart's Symphony No 33 and his Flute Concerto No 2 in D," he says, and then tootles some bars down the phone which I can recognise.

He adds: "Mozart was a genius. If he'd been alive today he would have been addicted to Sudoku.

"It's the way his brain would operate. He could compose music in sections and then suddenly it would all come together in a concerto.

"He had humour and that's part of the magic along with craftsmanship and passion."

Sir James' website shows his charming sense of fun. The photograph of Mozart's London house is captioned with: "That is not his Honda parked outside".

Sir James is a representative for UNICEF and president of Flutewise, a non-profit organisation which encourages young flute players all over the world.

Before the Saturday concert, Sir James and his wife Lady Jeanne are hosting a Flutewise event on stage with 30 young flautists.

As enthusiastic as Sir James is about encouraging youngsters, he is vehemently opposed to the "short-sighted" cuts often made in arts grants and budgets.

"I'd like to ask some of these councils and people who decide to cut arts grants if they want a world devoid of culture?" he says. "There is money misplaced, no kidding. One bomb less could save a few cuts, wouldn't it?"

A heartfelt message from a man who is passionate about his craft.

London Mozart Players with Sir James Galway, Fairfield Hall, Croydon.

May 13, 7.30pm, £9.50 - £27, box office 020 8688 9291.