Julian Bream 1933-2020 RIP

[Keraulophone]

Julian Bream had no peer as an instrumentalist IMO. What he did with his guitar could be applied to almost any other instrument in terms of musicianship and he exuded a deep understanding of what the composer would have wanted. A great communicator and teacher, he gave pleasure to millions and opened the guitar repertoire to many unsuspecting listeners.

[Joseph K]

RIP - a fantastic guitarist.

Just curious about how you came to know he's died?

EDIT: found something that confirmed it.

[Keraulophone]

Just curious about how you came to know he's died?

https://www.classical-music.com/news/the-great-british-guitarist-julian-bream-has-died-aged-87/

2014 interview: https://classicalguitarmagazine.com/...ary-guitarist/

[johnb]

Very sad news indeed.

Bream was greatly admired and an inspiration to so many guitarists.

[DracoM]

[cloughie]

Always gave the impression of a serious musician who knew his craft! RIP Julian

[Lordgeous]

Very sad news. Wonderful man, wonderful musician. I had the honour of having a piece commissioned by him in 1973.

[Edgy 2]

Oh that's very sad
RIP

This immediately came to mind

[french frank]

The guitarist who inspired me to learn. He was a poet. I remember him describing how he coped with a phrase that he kept getting wrong: to practise, practise, practise until it was perfect, and it became easy. Then he would play it in public and get it wrong again.

[johnb]

[Serial_Apologist]

Farewell, fellow south Londoner* - you were always my favourite among British masters of classical guitar, our Segovia, and I can't believe you were only 13 years older than myself, you had always seemed to be a household name for as long as I can remember.



*(adopted, or rather embraced, in my case).

[Dave2002]

Very sad to hear of this. We have quite a lot of his CDs - some really good stuff there.

JB RIP

[DoctorT]

Have just watched the BBC1 news. Not a mention of Julian Bream. Doubtless if some unheard of rock musician had died it would have been headline news. There was however a tribute on Radio 4’s PM programme.

[Historian]

I had the great pleasure of watching him performing Arnold's Guitar Concerto (written for him) at the Proms in 1991. Just one example of the immense influence Julian Bream had on the classical guitar (and lute) in this country. He also seemed to be a kind, humane man (see FF's example above). RIP.

[french frank]

(see FF's example above). RIP.

Looking back to see what I'd said, I realised I'd missed Edgy's video of JB with the Waltons. What a lovely - and valuable - document. I got the impression that he was quietly delighted to have found an occupation at which he was able to excel, not for himself but so that he could give pleasure to other people. And that was his reward.