Julian Bream: Classic Or Dud?

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I've been listening to Julian and John 2, a record of duets with John Williams on pieces by Carulli, Granados, Giuliani, and Albeniz; and Guitar Recital, pieces by Sor, Turina, de Falla, Villa-Lobos, and Torroba. Jesus. What a sound.

― sundar subramanian, Saturday, 24 August 2002 09:04 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

W/ reference to the recording mentioned, classic!!! The collaboration
of these two is always delightful, sometimes astonishing. But I some-
times wonder whether J.B. is also the greatest lutenist in the history
of recorded music. I do feel that Paul Odette gives him a pretty good
run for his money. Yet I fondly remember the hootenany days when hear-
ing Bream on the lute with pieces like "Kemps Jig" opened up a whole
new world for me and lured me away from always banging away at I-IV-
V7 progressions. on the guitar. Thank you, Mr. Julian! (as they say
in this part of the country).
GMc

― Garrett McCutchan, Tuesday, 25 November 2003 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

His version of Benjamin Britten's "The Nocturnal" is sublime... haven't heard much more, but will try to.

― Tom May (Tom May), Tuesday, 25 November 2003 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

'lutenist' is my new favourite word

― zebedee (zebedee), Tuesday, 25 November 2003 19:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Totally classic! In fact I just listened to that Nocturnal collection last week! Awesome program of 20th century stuff with pieces by Britten, Lutoslawski, Takemitsu, Brouwer and Martin. I was just thinking I need to get more of his discs. I will have to check out the discs cited by Sundar up there. I have some old RCA lp he recorded as well but I think it's boxed up at the moment and I can't remember what's on it. Anyway, he's a real treat to listen to and has to be applauded for supporting contemporary composers.

― Broheems (diamond), Tuesday, 25 November 2003 19:36 (twenty-two years ago)

ten years pass...

Interesting interview here: http://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/focus/julian-bream-interview

Which mentions this encounter with Stravinsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4f8fej9Sqo

― The Clones of Doctor Atomic Dog (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 9 November 2014 15:59 (eleven years ago)

one year passes...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01kvtfw/julian-bream-masterclass-1-isaac-albeniz

I don't know if non-UK viewers will be able to watch them, but I have been enjoying the shit out of these 70s masterclasses with Bream and various younger classical guitarists, who play part of a piece and then get a critique from JB - sometimes he's p brutal, in his mad intense English way

― Foster Twelvetrees (Ward Fowler), Friday, 3 June 2016 19:37 (ten years ago)

two years pass...

Ham-tastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P95brP_HweU

― saddest kamancheh (bendy), Tuesday, 2 October 2018 12:28 (seven years ago)

mmmmm, breamy

always elevates the soul to engage in high art music, especially when the performer is gurning and glaring at themselves. I'm surprised I've not seen anyone else do this and I'm surprised j bream is the one I see trying it

― ogmor, Wednesday, 3 October 2018 17:18 (seven years ago)

one year passes...

RIP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4RsE7VJ7I

― mozzy star (voodoo chili), Friday, 14 August 2020 14:23 (five years ago)

i can't believe he was only 87, why do I feel like he's been old since the 80's (which is when I first heard of him, because I was learning classical guitar)?

― akm, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:27 (five years ago)

RIP. I remember seeing him around maybe 1997, a friend of mine was playing in an orchestra and they'd somehow managed to get him to perform with them. Before the concert, an announcement went up saying that he was ill and would be delayed, but didn't want to let people down. There was a pretty heavy disclaimer that due to illness it might not be a performance of his usual quality. Turned out he'd gone through most of a bottle of bourbon between the final rehearsal and the performance. Then he came on and played and it was absolutely sublime, to this day I don't know how he managed it.

― Matt DC, Friday, 14 August 2020 15:31 (five years ago)

> he's been old since the 80's

It's the chrome dome. Love the hair and devil's smile on this fine record though:

https://www.discogs.com/Julian-Bream-Julian-Bream-Plays-Dowland/master/600292

RIP

― Julius Caesar Memento Hoodie (bendy), Friday, 14 August 2020 15:39 (five years ago)

Mentioned on the classical thread. I forgot I had started a thread about him specifically! But yes, RIP. The classical guitarist I've listened to the most; he did so much to bring guitar repertoire into modernity and set the standard as a player afaic.

― magnet of the elk park (Sund4r), Friday, 14 August 2020 16:53 (five years ago)

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