Happy 83rd Birthday, Julian Bream!
Julian Bream is an internationally celebrated English guitarist and lutenist who inspired a new interest in Renaissance lute music.
He was born in London, July 15, 1933. Growing up, he studied music with his father, then went to the Royal College of Music. Bream admired Andrés Segovia and Francisco Tárrega, but was also fascinated by the music written for the lute.
His first major public recital was in 1950. Recognition of his talent came quickly, and by 1954, he was touring internationally. In 1961, he organized the Julian Bream Consort, one of the first 20th century groups to specialize in Early Music.
Noted for his rhythmic precision and exquisite lyricism, Bream has been equaled by only a few other guitarists in the world.
To hear Julian Bream play, click
Master musicians inspire great composers to write music that will challenge their abilities. William Walton wrote Five Bagatelles for Julian Bream. Here Bream plays Bagatelle #5.
Bream plays the famous Recuerdos de la Alhambra, which was composed in 1896 in Granada by Francisco Tárrega.
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Julian Bream has been an icon for as long as I can remember. I first heard his playing when I was in college and working at a radio station. We had a classical music hour every evening, and one evening his music was featured. I was hooked.
I heard Recuerdos de la Alhambra for the first time when a friend in college played his recording of it. I got my own copy of the record, and wore it out.