Julian Bream - recent |
Bream was born in 1933 in Battersea, London, England. His father was a commercial artist and an amateur jazz guitarist. The family eventually moved to Hampton. Young Bream’s introduction to music was through the piano and cello. He eventually took up the guitar with encouragement from his father at an early age.
At a very early age he enjoyed the music of Django Reinhardt, and began strumming along on his father’s guitar to tunes on the radio. But Bream became frustrated with his lack of knowledge of jazz harmony, so he read instruction books by Eddie Lang.
Julian's father, Henry Bream |
Bream’s father had taught him the basics on guitar, but his fundamental education came from lesson given to him by Boris Perott, who was president of the Philharmonic Society of Guitarists. Bream’s father joined the society and became the organization’s librarian.
Boris Perott with Students. |
This gave young Julian access to a large collection of rare music.
Young Julian Bream with a Harp Guitar |
On his 11th birthday Julian Bream was given a gut-string guitar by his father. Within a year Julian Bream was recognized as a child prodigy winning a junior exhibition for his piano skills. This enabled him to study piano and composition at the Royal College of Music.
By age 13 he made his debut in a guitar recital at Cheltenham. Four years later he debuted in another recital at Wigmore Hall.
His father had apprehensions regarding Bream’s career as a guitarist, which made the young man more determined to pursue his passion for classical guitar.
The Royal College of Music - London |
Despite the warning, Bream brought his guitar to the school and played late night performances. When this was discovered by the school, he was asked to leave his guitar at home. Bream instead quit the school.
In 1952 he was called into active military service and drafted into the Pay Corps, but eventually managed to sign up for the Royal Artillery Band. After three and half years in the army, he took any musical jobs that came his way, including background music for radio plays and films. Recording sessions and work for the BBC were important to Bream throughout the 1950s and the early 1960s.
Young Julian playing Lute |
By 1960 he put together The Julian Bream Consort, which was a four piece ensemble with Bream playing lute. This lead to a revival of music from the Elizabethan era.
Julian Bream 1978 Master Class |
Julian Bream |
Julian Bream performed with the London Symphony. In 1997, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his debut, he performed a recital at Cheltenham Town Hall.
A few weeks later, the BBC dedicated a television tribute This Is Your Life programme to Bream, filmed after a commemorative concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Julian Bream In Concert |
He also did a tour of National Trust properties in summer and autumn 2000.
Julian Bream at 85 |
His final recital was at Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich, on 6 May 2002. Bream died on 14 August 2020, at his home at Donhead St Andrew.
1939 Herman Hauser Sr. guitar |
Julian Bream with Martin 0-28 |
Julian Bream's first decent guitar was an 1880 Martin 0-28 that was a gift from his father and purchased in 1948. Guitars of that era were braced for steel strings.
Julian Bream's 1st guitar |
Prior to this Bream's father purchased a Ramirez classic guitar built by the shop of Jose Ramirez II. The guitar was in poor condition, and the elder Bream repaired the instrument.
Young Bream with Ibanez guitar |
During his first recital he played a guitar that was loaned to him. This was a 1930 Salvador Ibanez instrument. This should not be confused with the Ibanez instruments made in Japan.
13 year old Bream with small Ibanez and adult sized Ibanez |
In 1946 his father acquired a Maccaferi harp guitar (pictured above). However Julian's instructor would not allow him to use a "freak" guitar in recital. An adult sized 1930's Salvatore Ibanez guitar was loaned to him.
Example of a 1937 Herman Hauser I |
In 1950 Bream purchased a Herman Hauser I guitar that he used in concerts for the next 5 years. He purchased another Herman Hauser I in 1956.
Bream with Herman Hauser II guitar |
In 1959 Bream purchased a guitar built by Herman Hauser II and used it to record the LP, The Art of Julian Bream. He used this guitar through 1963.
Bream with Edgar Monch guitar |
In 1959 Bream also purchased a guitar built by Edgar Mönch that same year. He used this guitar on his recording Guitar Concertos - Julian Bream.
1962 Robert Bouchet guitar |
In 1962 Bream acquired two guitars built by famed French luthier Robert Bouchet. One instrument was built in 1957 and the other in 1962. These instruments were both used on the recording Popular Classics for Spanish Guitar.
Manuel Ramirez guitar |
In 1962 Bream acquired a Manuel Ramirez classical guitar which he used on several recordings.
1966 Rubio classical |
The two men struck up a friendship. Rubio moved back to Oxford, England and spent the year 1967 through 1969 living at Bream's house in Semly. He eventually opened a shop in Oxford. Robio not only built guitars for Julian Bream, but also built Lutes from Bream, but also built vihuela, theorboes, harpsichords, violas da gamba, baroque guitars, etc. He later relocted his workshop to Cambridge.
Bream's 1969 Jose Romanillos guitar |
Around 1969 Julian Bream purchased three guitars that were built by Spanish builder Jose Romanillos. Romanillos retired in 1995 when he passed the business to his son Liam. These guitars were built specifically for Bream. Bream went on to purchase several more guitars from this builder and used them on ten different LP's.
1961 Hernandez Y Aguado guitar |
In 1986 Julian Bream acquired a guitar built by Jeffrey Elliot. Elliot is not just a luthier, but an exceptional guitarist in his own right. He builds classical and flamenco guitars, and also restores instruments.
Bream purchased two guitars built by UK luthier Kevin Aram. One was acquired in 1986, and another in 1988. Aram builds his instruments in North Devonshire and has built over 300 instruments in the style of Torres and Hauser.
Julian Bream used two guitars built by British luthier Brian Cohen. The first was acquired in 1991 on loan from the builder. Bream purchased the Cohen guitar seen here in 1997.
2008 Gerhardt Oldiges model |
In 2008 Bream purchased a guitar that was built by German luthier Gerhardt Oldiges. This instrument was bought in England at Kent Guitar Classics, a guitar business that partners with Oldiges.
The final guitar owned by Maestro Bream was purchased in 2009 from UK luthier Simon Ambridge, a builder from South Devon.
Click on the links under the photos for sources. Click on the links in the text for further information.
©UniqueGuitar Publications 2020 (text only)
3 comments:
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I've just read your lovely post on Julian Bream surmising his life and work. Thanks for sharing such a concise and well written account.
I just thought it might be worth mentioning that Julian Bream also played a José Romanillos guitar built for him in the 70s. Stuart Christie is an actively working luthier in the UK who makes beautiful guitars based on Julian Bream's 1973 José Romanillos guitar. You can find more on this guitar here: https://www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/product/stuart-christie-jose-romanillos/
Julian Bream's impact on classical guitar and lute music is truly significant. His passing marks the end of an era defined by his unparalleled talent and dedication to both instruments. His early exposure to music through piano and cello, guided by his father's encouragement, laid the foundation for his exceptional career. His exploration of jazz harmony and dedication to mastering the guitar reflect his deep commitment to musical excellence. His collaboration with Boris Perott and involvement in the Philharmonic Society of Guitarists underscore his role not only as a performer but also as a champion of classical guitar education and advocacy. For further insights into his legacy, buy capstone help at https://bestcustompapers.com/capstone-help/ .
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