Julian Bream

The Art of Julian Bream

By the 1950s, the classical guitar had become very popular indeed. The foundation had been laid in previous decades by such gigantic figures as Andrés Segovia, Augustin Pio Barrios, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Miguel Llobet. By 1955, the husband and wife team of Alexandre Lagoya and Ida Presti became the first great post war duo. Their flowing legato approach, rich tones, and expressive interpretations were amazing.

That being said, it must be admitted that one of the greatest figures in the entire history of the guitar also came along in these years. He was none other than Julian Bream. Born in London, England, in 1933, Bream has enjoyed a long and very successful career as a performer and recording artist. His great talent and artistry were complemented by his clean cut appearance and matinee idol good looks. He looked rather like the world renowned film star and Shakespearean actor, Sir Laurence Oilivier.

Julian Bream was influenced by those who came before him, especially Django Reinhardt and Maestro Segovia. He began playing on a steel-string guitar and although he was for the most part, self-taught, he was helped by the Philharmonic Society of Guitarists. He also studied piano harmony and composition at the Royal College of Music. Julian Bream made his first public appearance in 1946 at the Cheltenham Art Gallery in England. By the end of the decade he was making BBC broadcasts and played at Wigmore Hall in 1951. In his album, "The Art of Julian Bream", which came out in 1956, he featured works by Segovia, Falla, and Turina. In 1958, he toured North America, performing for enthusiatic crowds.

At a time when classical guitar was gaining more admirers, Bream was associating with a wide range of figures in the world of classical music. The guitar was now capturing the imagination and Bream wrote articles on the subjects of technique and textural possibilities. Composers also began producing works especially for the guitar. Among them was Reginald Smith-Brindle who wrote "El Polifemo de Oro" in 1956. In 1959, Malcolm Arnlod wrote "Guitar Concerto" specifically for Julian Bream.

Julian Bream had been after composer Benjamin Britten for years, to produce a work for guitar and in 1963, his request was granted. Britten had completed "Nocturnal after John Dowland" and Bream recorded it for the landmark album, "20th Century Guitar" in 1967. Some consider the "Nocturnal" to be the greatest work ever composed for guitar and although not recorded until 1967, it premiered at Aldeburgh in 1964. Consisting of a series of seperate episodes, the music describes various states during the night. In the sixth section there is gentle strumming, voicings, passages of quiety beauty, and harmony, all to convey the dream.

When the musical history of the modern era is finally written, a large chunk of it wiill cover the work of Julian Bream. He believed the guitar could cast a spell over a listening audience and he proved his point. In the last half of the 20th century, countless audiences have fallen under the spell of one of music's truly memorable figures. A top performer for decades, compositions were being written especially for him as late as 1972. An example of a late composition includes William Walton's "Five Bagatelles". It was played by Bream and dedicated to Malcolm Arnold. Andres Segovia >>

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