Julian Bream (1933-2020)

[Wowbagger]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/aug/14/julian-bream-british-classical-guitarist-dies-aged-87?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

One of the finest guitarists of the 20th century and a trailblazer who did more than anyone else to bring the guitar into classical music.

[T42]

When I was growing up there were three guitarists in the world, Segovia, Bream and Bert Weedon.  Everyone "knew" that Bream had studied with Segovia, even though he hadn't.  And that was that.

Well, 87 is a good age. RIP

[Wowbagger]

According to that piece, Bream called his dog Django Reinhart.

[nicknack]

There was him and John Williams who, I'm pleased to see, is still going.

[Peter]

I think Segovia can be credited with bringing the guitar into classical music.  He commissioned so many transcriptions.  But Bream was terrific.  I think (not certain) that he actually started out playing jazz guitar and certainly played jazz most of his life.  There is a good clip somewhere of him getting frustrated with a self-regarding Stephane Grappelli.

Julian used to be on TV quite a lot in the 70s and 80s.  He was always terrific and the facial expressions were so...… expressive!

RIP

[Mr Larrington]

When I was growing up there were three guitarists in the world, Segovia, Bream and Bert Weedon.  Everyone "knew" that Bream had studied with Segovia, even though he hadn't.  And that was that.

There were also three guitarists in the world when I was growing up, but by then their names were Beck, Clapton and Page

[hellymedic]

Well, 87 is a good age. RIP

Both the Grauniad obituarists predeceased their subject...

[TimC]

I've seen Julian Bream (and John Williams) several times - they were very much on the Officers' Mess 'couth entertainment' circuit in the 1980s. I preferred John Williams's style, but there's no doubt Bream was a brilliant guitarist.

[Wowbagger]

There was him and John Williams who, I'm pleased to see, is still going.

I spent a lot of money on a cassette player for our old Hillman Hunter and one of our favourite tapes was Julian Bream and John Williams playing some very fine stuff.