Julian Bream at 80

[Sir Velo]

Admirers of the legendary guitarist may enjoy this podcast interview with Gramophone editor, Martin Cullingford. I was also saddened to read the news that the great man can no longer give impromptu recitals close to his South Wiltshire home as a result of an accident two years ago.

[Richard Tarleton]

Just heard him talking to SR on In Tune - he sounds in good form, on his way to receive his Gramophone award. There were even two anecdotes I hadn't heard before - he's had to tell the story of his life and career so many times he's told most of them! I hadn't heard about his recent accident either.

[Old Grumpy]

Just heard him talking to SR on In Tune - he sounds in good form, on his way to receive his Gramophone award. There were even two anecdotes I hadn't heard before - he's had to tell the story of his life and career so many times he's told most of them! I hadn't heard about his recent accident either.

That interview is now available as a podcast here: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/...0917-1928a.mp3


OG

[mercia]

some Julian Bream masterclasses seem to have turned up on the iplayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01d0zll/episodes/player

[Mattbod]

I was not aware of any accident but an impromptu recital by Julian must have been a delight. Where did he give them the local church? I remember reading a year or so ago that he had put his substantial property on the market (it was valued at well over a million) as it was too big for him.

Anyway i look forward to listening to this. It was his Together and Together Again recordings with John Williams that introduced me to the classical guitar.

[Sir Velo]

I was not aware of any accident but an impromptu recital by Julian must have been a delight. Where did he give them the local church?

Wardour Chapel was the venue used for many of JB's recordings.

I remember reading a year or so ago that he had put his substantial property on the market (it was valued at well over a million) as it was too big for him.

More like six years ago! Interesting article on the house in Semley, Wiltshire borders here; ridiculous error referring to Bream's dog as "Jango" (sic) notwithstanding.

[Barbirollians]

Great player - even got me to like a piece of Malcolm Arnold - his guitar concerto !

[Sir Velo]

No doubt the muse was captured in this venue:


Wardour Chapel, Tisbury, Wiltshire

[Mattbod]

Was it that long ago??? Anyway I agree he is a very fine player. If he is having trouble playing then it is a tragedy but at 80 it is no surprise given some of the contortions one must put one's fingers though playing some classical guitar repertoire!

[Richard Tarleton]

No doubt the muse was captured in this venue:

Wardour Chapel, Tisbury, Wiltshire

I had heard tell of a beautiful eighteenth century chapel in the Vale of Wardour. So one day I went to have a look at it. I just happened to bring along the old box, in case the acoustical characteristics of the chapel were such that I might be tempted to strum the odd tune. But on entering the chapel, I was bowled over by its beauty and proportions. It seemed like some wondrous jewel set in that old yet curiously domestic vale of Wardour. It seemed a profane act to open the guitar case and strike a chord in this wondrous space, but that I did, and in doing so I knew instinctively that you could bung up a microphone anywhwere in that building and produce a magical sound

- Julian Bream, A Life on the Road

But it was too near Warminster firing range, the guttering was dodgy, the oil central heating noisy, birds roosted noisily nearby.....He made many great records there, but for his last 3 solo CDs, with EMI, he switched to Forde Abbey (also in Dorset, of course).

He's always been a conoisseur of great acoustics - his 1964 "Popular Classics for Spanish Guitar" was recorded in the Adam Library at Kenwood House in Hampstead. Only problem, his precious Robert Bouchet guitar was stolen from his car......

[Richard Tarleton]

Was it that long ago??? Anyway I agree he is a very fine player. If he is having trouble playing then it is a tragedy but at 80 it is no surprise given some of the contortions one must put one's fingers though playing some classical guitar repertoire!

He retired from the concert platform a number of years ago. His 1995 CD "Sonata" was his last. His recent accident (when he fell over a neighbour's dog) affected his playing.

[johnb]

After many weeks of prevarication I have at last ordered the 42 disc Julian Bream complete RCA recordings boxed set. (I would have kicked myself if the box was suddenly discontinued.)

[Richard Tarleton]

Friday 24 January, BBC4, 8.00 pm - an hour of Julian Bream, inc. the Arnold concerto, duets with John Williams, the Julian Bream Consort

[johnb]

If the Arnold concerto is the Prom performance (I forget which year) I do hope they show, during the applause, Arnold taking hold of Bream's guitar and waving it in the air while Bream looked on somewhat alarmed.

[Richard Tarleton]

If the Arnold concerto is the Prom performance (I forget which year) I do hope they show, during the applause, Arnold taking hold of Bream's guitar and waving it in the air while Bream looked on somewhat alarmed.

Yes, we saw that clip! Bream appeared to grab it back again. A nice assemblage of material, I'll enjoy watching it again. There was a studio performance of the first movement of the Arnold earlier in the programme. I heard Bream play it (with Arnold and the ECO) c. 1972, in the QEH, a lovely piece.