Julian Bream, Classical Guitarist And Lutest Passed Away August 14th, 2020

Julian Bream - recent

One of the most distinguished classical guitarists of our day, Julian Bream passed away on August 14th of this year. His career spread over half a century. He was not just a master of the guitar, but he helped to revive interest in the lute.

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

In the late 1940’s the Royal College of Music did not recognize the guitar as a legitimate instrument. Julian was advised not to bring the instrument with him. He was told to concentrate on piano.

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

In 1952 he played part of a recital on the lute at Wigmore Hall. His fame grew and Bream traveled throughout the world on extensive tours.

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

In 1963 Julian Bream performed for the Mason Concert series in Boston, which included his Consort. He also taught master classes at the music school in Dartington. Though he suffered a serious injury to his right arm in an auto accident, he continued to play guitar and lute.

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

Other engagements around that time included a gala solo performance at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool; a Kosovo Aid concert at St. John's, Smith Square, London, with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; recitals at the Snape Proms, Aldeburgh, and at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

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

Maestro Bream played and owned many guitars. Most were built in the style of famed German luthier Herman Hauser Sr. Hauser built many fine instruments, in the style of Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres, for numerous artists. Andres Segovia played his guitars. His son Herman Hauser II took over his shop until his death. Currently Herman Hauser III and his sister Kathryn Hauser continue the tradition.

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

David "Jose" Rubio was an English luthier and guitar player. He moved to Seville, and then to Madrid to study Flamenco guitar. During his time there Rubio became interested in building guitars. Rubio moved to New York City and opened a shop. Julian Bream had played some of his instruments, and visited Rubio.

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 the early 1970's Julian Bream purchased a guitar made by Hernandez Y Aguado (Hernanez and Aguado). These were established builders from Madrid. Santiago Diaz Martinez, aka Manuel Hernandez and Victoriano Aguado Rodriguez began building guitars in 1945. Their instruments were played by Julian Bream, John Williams, and other well known classical players. Their guitars are sometimes just abbreviated as HyA.   

Jeffrey Elliot
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. 

1998 Kevin Aram

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. 

1997 Brian Cohen guitar

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.  

2009 Simon Ambridge guitar

The final guitar owned by Maestro Bream was purchased in 2009 from UK luthier Simon Ambridge, a builder from South Devon.

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