He doesn't just talk the talk does he! When he demonstrates what he's saying you can really hear the difference. The music is much more expressive, and it breaths, truly an amazing guitarist.
This is just a joy to watch, and has made me want to learn these pieces again after first playing them about 30 years ago. Bream's passion for the beuty and musicality of the music is genuinely inspiring.
Bream is brilliant here. One can learn so much from watching him teach and perform. In my opinion, he plays Villa-Lobos probably better than any other classical guitarist I've ever seen.
Yeah I think so. 15 years ago I taught myself this (no.1). This particular episode was only in bits and pieces edited together at the time into about a 4 min vid. Seeing it now is something I could've done with but the snippets did help a great deal. Anyway around that time I severed 2 tendons in my left hand and lost 40% grip strength and stopped playing. A full year of weekly rehab. First thing I thought when it happened was oh no. It was a cat that got under my feet causing me to stumble sideways, my shoulder hit a window, it smashed and to break my fall I instinctively put my hand out. No alcohol or anything else involved. Just a freak occurrence. Again, I feel like I could try. Toni Iommi succeeded so I've got no excuse - which is why I'm here. It's drawing me back. The 'ole Heitor Villa Lobos is whispering to me from beyond as is Julian. Julian was alive and well 15 years ago. Death, the ruin of many a good man and woman LOL.
"It's not quite a question of tempo, it's a question of character." They all have the technical ability but miss the lyrical musical depth. I learned a lot from this. I now 'sing' the melody passages of the pieces I play and have rediscovered the beauty of many standard pieces. It is not just how it is written, it is how it feels and communicates that is the art. Bream is a genius.
These student guitarists are all great technically, Bream is teaching them beyond technical, things that are a matter of taste, interpretation. Can really hear the difference between Bream and the students, Bream is on that other level.
"Something I wish we could teach here is expression of the music instead of technique for the music. The difference between us and our brothers in Europe is they study expression first and then add technique that's why their music always sounds like it's telling a story" Michael chapdelaine.
Exactly what I get from this and from listening to Bream, generally. I can finally play this piece as technically accurate and fast as you like - it's not a hard piece technically - but to make it "sing" as the composer intended is real art. This video illustrated this idea to me like nothing else I have ever encountered.
I love the way he sees the sounds hey makes and hears.....it's like he sees sound as shapes and colors. Almost like a synesthetic quality to his ability to shape the way he interprets a piece.
Frustration? what I see is a man intensely passionate about music. In no way disrespectful, I perceive the sharing of an exceptionally well developed sense of music from a true master. I am sure all the participants, however much intimidated, were also very honoured to be there. A truly wonderful video.
That 1st guy - poor bastard lol. He plays in a philharmonic orchestra and Julian makes him look like an amateur made a little worse bu the fact it's not too difficult to play that piece (but obviously very difficult to play the way the composer intended). It's all about the subleties.
Between 26 and 28 minutes, he's took the young protégé to a higher level of phrasing. Bream shows him the path to the spirit of Villa Lobos' music, and something clicks, and the piece takes off.
Julian Bream, a master of masters. Why? Because he did all the hard work himself. He knew what it took to be a musician. He was, in a word,...great! A fine teacher and human being. God love you Julian.
It reminds me once again why I broke my guitar in a fit of rage and frustration. The crude reality is that classical guitar, demands so much in terms of technique, tempo, rythm, melody, and ornamentation that only a few can truly execute these pieces with a satisfactory degree of success. The word passion must envelope those basic qualities. I must always remember I will never play like Bream, Segovia, Parkening but If in my playing I can become aware of my virtues and work upon them, hopefully my vices will diminish and my frustration level decrease...thanks for the upload. A must watch for guitar students.
Julian Bream's playing is astounding. One thing I've always found to be so impeccable about his playing is the position shifting of his right hand. He so freely moves from the extremes of tasto to ponticello and everywhere in between countless times during each phrase. Adds so much color. Or should i say colour.
The Guitar compositions of the noted BRAZILIAN music composer, Heitor Villalobos are mesmering, evoking the emotions and have a deep human expressive quality that catches the ears and touches the heart. I discovered the records in LONG PLAYING VINYL RECORDINGS (33RPM) in High School, circa 1973. by way of my mathematics Teacher, who was a Classical Guitar fanatic and was always playing and listening to JULIAN BREAM, and I was mesmerized by the sound of the virtuosity and I started learning Classical Guitar, from the Julian Bream discovery when I WAS 16 years of age. R.I.P. Maestro J.B.
Julian, Thank you for existing.... I've seen this masterclasses linke a 1000 times... and each time I enjoy them even more.... Your legacy lives forever, Julian.
Got to love this! Take note that this is about 40 years ago! This are definitely "old school" lessons - and it's sorely missed these days. Today's guitar virtuosos rarely speak using the terms Bream does. Love, character and color, passion, etc. have been abandoned in place of only clarity and purity. As important as those two concepts are, today's young guitar wizards could stand to take such a master class from the likes of Bream and learn a little something about the art of expressive playing. Unfortunately, this style of music making has gone out of fashion. What a crime! I hope that all music teachers of today will take a page out of Bream's playbook! Cheers!
Everyone is being highly critical of the students but it's worth remembering that they are young(ish) they are stuck in front of a master being told off, infront of a studio audience and a TV at home audience and to top it off, they've probably never heard another recording of this music. Bear in mind that youtube did not exist many people didn't have easy access to all the worlds music like we have now. They were left with the scores and memories of live performances.
Well said! I had the joy of watching Robert Brightmore live at a recital he gave at the Nakas Conservatory recital hall in Athens, Greece, in 1994. He was a true master, very confident playing and at complete ease. He gave a really superlative performance of Koyunbaba that still haunts me to this day. I recall he had to replace at the last minute the initially scheduled "Torre Bermeja" with some other new and highly modern piece, explaining to the audience how he "was taken by the atmosphere that piece created". Then quite naturally, he laid down on the floor in front of him the 5 sheets of music as the stand was too narrow to accomodate them all and performed the piece flawlessly overlooking the sheets that way, as if casually practicing from his own couch. Grand!
Julian bream is not dead. He keeps living through what he has left behind him. That video is the perfect example. Even in one century, people will know his name and will see what genius he was simply by listening the quality of his teachings...
I was gutted to hear that probably THE finest classical guitar Master ever to have lived and worked in the UK never got a mention of his passing on UK National News. Yet they give full coverage when (God rest her soul) an American High Court Judge passes. Julian was one of the few guitarists of his genre to play with soul. He will live on in the hearts of all who love classica guitar. We all love you, Julian. RIP 2020
Rest in peace Mr. Bream. Thank you for the virtuosity of your playing and deep understanding of the music you performed. Still amazing that your masterclass translates well into my understanding of the pieces you presented. The music commanded the upmost discipline to convey what the feelings and nuances of the music/composer wished to convey. Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your musical mind..... Thanks again Julian Bream.
i can remember watching this series when it was first broadcast, quite a few years ago, i was a strummer and a very novice fingerpicker , i watched it hoping to learn something but it was way beyond my comprehention.and i thought all julians students were great players far beyond anything i could play, yet julian was still admonishing them, i thought blimey ,how good have you gotta be..i dont think ill bother going down that road..but i did ..i had to ..i think julian had something to do with it after persevering ever since.i can now play all those beautiful pieces myself and now i know what he was talking about ,.but im sure he would tear my interpretations to bits...he is the master.
thank you for reading my little story ./all true ..well yes ..i practiced as much as i could,inspired by my need to prodeuce that beautiful sound myself ,unfortunately i worked in the building trade .so my hands and nails were not always in best shape for perfect sound production.but i always persivered and with love and practice lots of practice ..now i have retired from hard labour ..my hands are olred but not like leather anymore and i can keep my nails any shape i want them..i am enjoying my musical retirement ..my name is ronnie and i am 66 / age is a number.
music has no age....it gets you, and you have no other choice than do your best and work at it...and you do improve every time you pick up the guitar, even if you don't realize it at the moment...we are lucky to have music in our lives...enjoy...warm greetings from Canada :)
it is an inspirational story! maybe you could upload a video? i'm learning all by myself, and it's very hard but totally worth it! but i need to keep the flame burning haha
I also saw what other people are commenting on. It's always hard to take criticism, even constructive criticism, especially when you're as good as these "students" are. It's got to seem like you're above criticism. The first guy looked a little angry. I'd probably feel the same if I could play that well and then have someone find some fault with it. But that's what they're there for, to get suggestions on how to play better. I think Julian is doing it as kindly and constructively as possible. It's an art to provide that kind of feedback without sounding condescending and negative. Julian is doing a good job. Part of it is the British politeness and good humor. But, he's just good at it too.
Firm but fair and you can most certainly hear when he demonstrates himself exactly what he's aiming for. A hard task master but he was probably harder on himself than any of his students and that's how he reached such phenomenal heights himself. Play with love...brilliant. You can see the passion he puts into his music when he plays and explains the 3rd. His musical sensitivities are as raw as can be. He can say it all in jut one note. When he says I'll play this bit here for you he just brought the whole world to a standstill as it listened in awe.
Haven taken classical guitar instruction for a number of years I can now see how important it is for the teacher to correct issues early on. Catch bad habits when they develop and correct posture problems.
I ( Hana Girdvainis-Sawyer) was lucky enough to hear Julian Bream play at the Blackstone theater in Chicago when I was just eighteen. I had a front row seat and the passion and beauty of his playing astounded me and brought me to tears. I was lucky enough to meat him personally and the memory has remained a treasure.
40:10 "Suburban" is the best shadethrowing adjective for a classical guitar performance I've ever heard. These videos are great for both learning these songs and improving my understanding of musicality generally. Thanks for uploading.
Learned Prelude #3 from my guitar teacher back in 1970. I never really did much with it over the years until I discovered this video some years ago. Hearing Bream critique the young player's rather mechanical performance and then demonstrating how to play it with the proper nuances - breathing such life into it! - was so inspiring I dusted off the old guitar and relearned this piece and now I am obsessed with it and with Bream and this video. I like to imagine I am there with this group of aspiring players at the master's home, rich with the smell of cedar and spruce guitars, on this lovely English afternoon, and I get my chance, "OK, Alex. Let's hear Prelude #3 then". After some years of putting myself there and playing the piece (and buying a nice classical guitar to replace the old Yamaha student guitar, fnally) I can at long last play it competently. When I play it Bream is always sitting beside me, nodding or frowning, I didn't think that would ever happen, some 50 years after learning it (thanks Jimmy M., for those lessons all those years ago and thanks Julian Bream and thanks to RareGuitar VC for the upload.
Julian Bream has always been my favorite guitar player, these recorded masterclasses really help alot of people develop strong technique. thank you for posting.
These students clearly have already gone through years of training and thrive on criticism, any student of this level values feedback that will make them better, because the way they're already pushing themselves means they're striving to be nothing but the best. They subscribed to come to a masterclass and perform for one of the worlds finest in hopes of getting feedback... To be frank the way he talks is brutal but along with a demonstration of how it can sound better, you instantly realize there's truth in what he's saying and the student shouldn't be hurt. and the standards for professional musicians nowadays is higher than ever. if these students are trying to make a career as a classical guitarist these type of subtleties are enough to get them a job or keep them unemployed because it's so competitive and unless you're playing in the best way ever someone else like Julian Bream would get the gig instead.
Criticism is fine as long as it is constructive. Julian was a straight talking Londoner. Even a hobby player like myself can learn a lot watching this.
Well it depends how new they were. If you talked that blunt to somebody new they probably wouldn't know how to take it but, people like these guys they've been doing it long enough. But he was still pretty blunt though, but i think the important thing is there was no malice in his words. If you wanna speak blunt it has to come from kindness and helping, if not, everyone will hate you.
Some 'artists', if you'll forgive the paradox, seem to exist at both higher and deeper levels. These students sound impressive enough but Mr Bream's deconstruction leaves them as dry bones in a desert. The thing is, he sounds to be right. Truly informative.
Thank you Mr. Bream for working so incredibly hard all your life to improve the public perception of the classical guitar as a respectable recital instrument. In my humble opinion, if there is an instrument with a *soul* then it is the classical guitar.
Incredible... This people is already musician by profession and even so take this Master class. Of course... with Julian Bream... I guees at Julian's house. Beautiful by the way
What a treasure, I’m really enjoying this. We can clearly see why he was a master and not just a player. His understanding of music is way beyond than what it’s just on the paper, very impressive, love it, thanks for sharing this material.
I think the combover was very much of the time, my dad had one until I gave him a No 2 crop it looked much better, as for the guitar playing JB is a master
In all fairness to the criticism being aimed towards accomplished students, it was a different world just a few decades ago. A teacher would be much less sensitive to get a point across and help you improve, not worrying about hurting your feelings quite so much. The world needs more of this back and less coddling. You can tell when these students were shocked when they didn't receive high marks! Lol. Its amazing I'm a gen x guy and I'm considered old school, but it seems things in every aspect of life were done better back then when men and women had thicker skins. Watching Mr bream demonstrate the lessons makes me wish I could travel back and sit in on just one of these! True master
A lot of teachers are like this in basically every discipline. Just because it was a little more televised back then doesn't mean teachers aren't strict now.
He's really quite a fantastic teacher! Everything he's says to the participants is wisdom! The student has to give everything and more to impress the master. Essentially, he's telling all of them to slow down and play with more feel , dynamic and precision.
Great guitarists need the best guitars like Maestro Bream's Rominillos. The second I was handed a magnificent guitar the articulations we all want to hear start to appear with less strain and are quite a surprise which makes the player endeavor to excell further into the language of the music, notes then disappear and the story is told. Julian Bream is a great teacher as much as a player. Thank you for posting!
Ok, I had a friend who attended a Julian bream masterclass and believe me all the students had top top instuments . But compared to Julian their instruments all sounded somewhat secont rate. Any how come tea break Julian leaves his guitar on his stool. Students take their chance to have a little play on such an obviously superior instrument . Strings slightly dead action rather high, they can hardly get a decent sound . True story.
Magnificent i love this man by just watching his passion for the instrument, music and teaching. I Have picked up my spanish guitar and old sheetmusic again after a long time, and relearning villa lobos. Happy to see that Julian wants accents just where i want to play them and not trying to just play incredibly fast or loud ;-)
since watching these masterclasses I've noticed that I'm able to identify where to slow-down my own compositions. & thing's aren't Awesome anymore, they're Remarkable!
Maravilloso, sencillamente. Bream hace algo que lo convierte en el músico excepcional que es, ama la música. Ese sentir la belleza del sonido es la base de su interpretación. De ahí ese rubato tan natural, las dinámicas y contrastes, los ritardando, el vibrato colorido. La guitarra canta porque él canta con la guitarra cada frase y le da un sentido porque quiere deleitarse a si mismo, no busca impresionar a un posible auditorio, busca principalmente impresionarse. Un genio que comprende lo que hace. Gracias, maestro.
Julian gave very good advice, not brutal to any degree, explained and demonstrated beautifully. Masterclasses are just like this, each student about to get the most pointed, usable help of their early pre-performing years. They are prepared for this grueling assessment of their shortcomings and will go home with thoughts to last a long time.
Genius. As others have noted, I am sure this would be very intimidating. But if you are a very talented, accomplished player - and you want to go to the next level...this would be an extremely valuable experience. Everyone in that room is lucky to be there. And we are lucky that this was filmed...and that you posted it. THANKS!
Guitarist at 34:24. I knew him back in the day at college in London. I can't recall his name. He was totally screwed over by Bream here. It wasn't the piece he had prepared, and he wasn't given any notice of the change. Bream slayed him.
Bream's rendition of Mallorca, Sevilla, and La Vida Breve are the best ever on a side note, I've been playing this piece for years but now having seen this has given me a fresh insight. thanks, uploader
Bream understands why this is such an extraordinary piece, it gallops, it broods, it reverts to sweet containment, then perches on a note and then almost throws you into panic by going too fast, then reverts to a tight, prim brio, Bream says it "pulsates" he is with its changing moods and tempos every step of the way
Watching the second player's journey was really informative and kind of special to watch. He really did hit a couple really beautiful bits, he chose well to do his best to receive the criticism and adapt.
I'm 43, just started when I was 40, and can play the 3rd better than the student in this episode. I play about 30 minutes a day. If Bream sounds like magic to you, you will find the will to fight through.
henderson's last vs first performance was so much better! bream really knows how to teach. Bravo to all students, having the courage to play in TV and in front of Him. Rest in Peace Master Bream.
I'm currently working on Prelude 3 and I found this incredibly helpful. Just beautiful. I have everything done but to evoke the feelings can sometimes be the hardest part. Needless to say I'm moved by all these pieces.
It is great to see the grandmaster himself here. In the end ( and overall) it all has to do with the musician you are inside. Bream feels the music deeply and understands it on every level. Furthermore he is capable of putting it into comprehensible words and sounds. It is so a pity that so less professional classical guitarists play with colour as the expression of a felt intention in the composition. In my opninion the use of colour is mediocore, dull, while the possiblility of using colour is there. Listen to Itzhak Perlman on violin, how he uses colour, listen to Bream. Cést la tone qui fait la musique. And to all the professors at Conservatories who claim that this way of playing is not of this time anymore I would suggest to open their to narrow minds and take lessons by watching these clips.
wow the maestros touch tone, feel for translation and taste are awesome. your playing is always so beautiful, thank you 4the wonderful music Mr Bream. i really love your study in Bm by F. Sorr
It's astonishing that when we watch YT videos of a young Julian Bream, as well as a virtuosic technical ability, he conveys an equally astonishing level of dynamics in touch/feel/phrasing/ emotion i.e. the beating heart/soul of the music, in his playing. Very few can combine technical ability AND be able to convey the 'soul' of the music. I'd place David Russell in this group too. Since much/all of this comes from your own 'character'/soul then being able to convey expression will ultimately depend on your own character. Yes, you can 'learn' this, however, it's going to sound somewhat artificial compared to a musician who truly 'feels' the music.
Learning Prelude No.3 at the moment, this is invaluable. Absolutely amazing. He's quite intimidating, I would'nt like to be on that stage with him.. Actually thats a lie, I'd love it.
![Marcin Dylla - Five Preludes by Heitor Villa Lobos [ACG Benefit Concert]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2x0cxSoTYBU/mqdefault.jpg)
He doesn't just talk the talk does he! When he demonstrates what he's saying you can really hear the difference. The music is much more expressive, and it breaths, truly an amazing guitarist.
This is just a joy to watch, and has made me want to learn these pieces again after first playing them about 30 years ago. Bream's passion for the beuty and musicality of the music is genuinely inspiring.
Bream is brilliant here. One can learn so much from watching him teach and perform. In my opinion, he plays Villa-Lobos probably better than any other classical guitarist I've ever seen.
You have to watch Fábio Zanon playing Villa-Lobos!
@@sinvalfelisberto Hahahahaha that was real funny! Thx for that lmao
@@sinvalfelisberto and Fabio lima as well
@@sinvalfelisberto Turibio Santos too
Yeah I think so.
15 years ago I taught myself this (no.1). This particular episode was only in bits and pieces edited together at the time into about a 4 min vid.
Seeing it now is something I could've done with but the snippets did help a great deal.
Anyway around that time I severed 2 tendons in my left hand and lost 40% grip strength and stopped playing.
A full year of weekly rehab. First thing I thought when it happened was oh no.
It was a cat that got under my feet causing me to stumble sideways, my shoulder hit a window, it smashed and to break my fall I instinctively put my hand out. No alcohol or anything else involved. Just a freak occurrence.
Again, I feel like I could try. Toni Iommi succeeded so I've got no excuse - which is why I'm here. It's drawing me back. The 'ole Heitor Villa Lobos is whispering to me from beyond as is Julian. Julian was alive and well 15 years ago. Death, the ruin of many a good man and woman LOL.
"It's not quite a question of tempo, it's a question of character." They all have the technical ability but miss the lyrical musical depth. I learned a lot from this. I now 'sing' the melody passages of the pieces I play and have rediscovered the beauty of many standard pieces. It is not just how it is written, it is how it feels and communicates that is the art.
Bream is a genius.
These student guitarists are all great technically, Bream is teaching them beyond technical, things that are a matter of taste, interpretation. Can really hear the difference between Bream and the students, Bream is on that other level.
I agree
Yes i remember my ole teacher also humming the melodys while playing, also keeps one from speeding up tempo to impossible speeds ;-)
"Something I wish we could teach here is expression of the music instead of technique for the music. The difference between us and our brothers in Europe is they study expression first and then add technique that's why their music always sounds like it's telling a story" Michael chapdelaine.
Exactly what I get from this and from listening to Bream, generally. I can finally play this piece as technically accurate and fast as you like - it's not a hard piece technically - but to make it "sing" as the composer intended is real art. This video illustrated this idea to me like nothing else I have ever encountered.
The difference between Bream’s interpretations & the students’ is astounding. What a master. The Bream/Williams records are a true gift to guitar.
I love the way he sees the sounds hey makes and hears.....it's like he sees sound as shapes and colors. Almost like a synesthetic quality to his ability to shape the way he interprets a piece.
Frustration? what I see is a man intensely passionate about music. In no way disrespectful, I perceive the sharing of an exceptionally well developed sense of music from a true master. I am sure all the participants, however much intimidated, were also very honoured to be there.
A truly wonderful video.
Adis Beganovic Of course! Probably one of the highlights of their playing careers
That 1st guy - poor bastard lol. He plays in a philharmonic orchestra and Julian makes him look like an amateur made a little worse bu the fact it's not too difficult to play that piece (but obviously very difficult to play the way the composer intended). It's all about the subleties.
Between 26 and 28 minutes, he's took the young protégé to a higher level of phrasing. Bream shows him the path to the spirit of Villa Lobos' music, and something clicks, and the piece takes off.
@@johnnymcauley6216 For sure. He was very lucky to be in that position no doubt from a ridiculous amount of hard work.
@@ThePaulv12 He also had an attitude, which isn't rare given the fact that he's serbian or croatian
Julian Bream, a master of masters. Why? Because he did all the hard work himself. He knew what it took to be a musician. He was, in a word,...great! A fine teacher and human being. God love you Julian.
It reminds me once again why I broke my guitar in a fit of rage and frustration. The crude reality is that classical guitar, demands so much in terms of technique, tempo, rythm, melody, and ornamentation that only a few can truly execute these pieces with a satisfactory degree of success. The word passion must envelope those basic qualities. I must always remember I will never play like Bream, Segovia, Parkening but If in my playing I can become aware of my virtues and work upon them, hopefully my vices will diminish and my frustration level decrease...thanks for the upload. A must watch for guitar students.
Haha I feel that
Julian Bream's playing is astounding. One thing I've always found to be so impeccable about his playing is the position shifting of his right hand. He so freely moves from the extremes of tasto to ponticello and everywhere in between countless times during each phrase. Adds so much color. Or should i say colour.
The Guitar compositions of the noted BRAZILIAN music composer, Heitor Villalobos are mesmering, evoking the emotions and have a deep human expressive quality that catches the ears and touches the heart.
I discovered the records in LONG PLAYING VINYL RECORDINGS (33RPM) in High School, circa 1973. by way of my mathematics Teacher, who was a Classical Guitar fanatic and was always playing and listening to JULIAN BREAM, and I was mesmerized by the sound of the virtuosity and I started learning Classical Guitar, from the Julian Bream discovery when I WAS 16 years of age. R.I.P. Maestro J.B.
Julian, Thank you for existing.... I've seen this masterclasses linke a 1000 times... and each time I enjoy them even more.... Your legacy lives forever, Julian.
Got to love this! Take note that this is about 40 years ago! This are definitely "old school" lessons - and it's sorely missed these days. Today's guitar virtuosos rarely speak using the terms Bream does. Love, character and color, passion, etc. have been abandoned in place of only clarity and purity. As important as those two concepts are, today's young guitar wizards could stand to take such a master class from the likes of Bream and learn a little something about the art of expressive playing. Unfortunately, this style of music making has gone out of fashion. What a crime! I hope that all music teachers of today will take a page out of Bream's playbook! Cheers!
PS Hats off to the students for playing in front of him in the first place.
Oh yea, it must have been terrifying!
I'm jealous ... wish it could have been me ....
The third guy improved tremendously in just that one session!
Steven Koehler Agreed - Steve Jobs definitely got the most out of this session. :-)
G4
Everyone is being highly critical of the students but it's worth remembering that they are young(ish) they are stuck in front of a master being told off, infront of a studio audience and a TV at home audience and to top it off, they've probably never heard another recording of this music. Bear in mind that youtube did not exist many people didn't have easy access to all the worlds music like we have now. They were left with the scores and memories of live performances.
Wisely spoken Mr. Completeguitarist!
They did fine. I imagine Julian could be a pretty intimidating tutor if you didn't have a thick skin, he certainly expected a very high standard.
Well said! I had the joy of watching Robert Brightmore live at a recital he gave at the Nakas Conservatory recital hall in Athens, Greece, in 1994. He was a true master, very confident playing and at complete ease. He gave a really superlative performance of Koyunbaba that still haunts me to this day. I recall he had to replace at the last minute the initially scheduled "Torre Bermeja" with some other new and highly modern piece, explaining to the audience how he "was taken by the atmosphere that piece created". Then quite naturally, he laid down on the floor in front of him the 5 sheets of music as the stand was too narrow to accomodate them all and performed the piece flawlessly overlooking the sheets that way, as if casually practicing from his own couch. Grand!
Recordings existed back then and were available to the average consumer even if they weren't as accessible as they are now.
This was before universal fairness for all and the right not to have your feelings hurt.
Julian bream is not dead. He keeps living through what he has left behind him. That video is the perfect example. Even in one century, people will know his name and will see what genius he was simply by listening the quality of his teachings...
I was gutted to hear that probably THE finest classical guitar Master ever to have lived and worked in the UK never got a mention of his passing on UK National News. Yet they give full coverage when (God rest her soul) an American High Court Judge passes.
Julian was one of the few guitarists of his genre to play with soul. He will live on in the hearts of all who love classica guitar.
We all love you, Julian. RIP 2020
OMG, the last time I looked him up, only a month ago, he was still alive. RIP
Zombie Bream
I love watching these masterclasses just to hear Julian Bream speak. What a sense of humour!
This video is precious! It is worth a year of practice for Villa--Lobos lovers. Insight....
Maestro Bream is spot on in his observations. Amazing teacher
Bream really has the technique and the perspective. He knows the forest and the trees! Excellent. Masterful.
Rest in peace Mr. Bream. Thank you for the virtuosity of your playing and deep understanding of the music you performed. Still amazing that your masterclass translates well into my understanding of the pieces you presented. The music commanded the upmost discipline to convey what the feelings and nuances of the music/composer wished to convey. Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your musical mind..... Thanks again Julian Bream.
i can remember watching this series when it was first broadcast, quite a few years ago, i was a strummer and a very novice fingerpicker , i watched it hoping to learn something but it was way beyond my comprehention.and i thought all julians students were great players far beyond anything i could play, yet julian was still admonishing them, i thought blimey ,how good have you gotta be..i dont think ill bother going down that road..but i did ..i had to ..i think julian had something to do with it after persevering ever since.i can now play all those beautiful pieces myself and now i know what he was talking about ,.but im sure he would tear my interpretations to bits...he is the master.
lovely and inspiring story, did you work really hard? and how many hours did you practise? can you easily play these pieces now?
thank you for reading my little story ./all true ..well yes ..i practiced as much as i could,inspired by my need to prodeuce that beautiful sound myself ,unfortunately i worked in the building trade .so my hands and nails were not always in best shape for perfect sound production.but i always persivered and with love and practice lots of practice ..now i have retired from hard labour ..my hands are olred but not like leather anymore and i can keep my nails any shape i want them..i am enjoying my musical retirement ..my name is ronnie and i am 66 / age is a number.
Hope you do well Ronnie and keep up the good work.
music has no age....it gets you, and you have no other choice than do your best and work at it...and you do improve every time you pick up the guitar, even if you don't realize it at the moment...we are lucky to have music in our lives...enjoy...warm greetings from Canada :)
it is an inspirational story! maybe you could upload a video? i'm learning all by myself, and it's very hard but totally worth it! but i need to keep the flame burning haha
I also saw what other people are commenting on. It's always hard to take criticism, even constructive criticism, especially when you're as good as these "students" are. It's got to seem like you're above criticism. The first guy looked a little angry. I'd probably feel the same if I could play that well and then have someone find some fault with it. But that's what they're there for, to get suggestions on how to play better. I think Julian is doing it as kindly and constructively as possible. It's an art to provide that kind of feedback without sounding condescending and negative. Julian is doing a good job. Part of it is the British politeness and good humor. But, he's just good at it too.
Firm but fair and you can most certainly hear when he demonstrates himself exactly what he's aiming for. A hard task master but he was probably harder on himself than any of his students and that's how he reached such phenomenal heights himself. Play with love...brilliant. You can see the passion he puts into his music when he plays and explains the 3rd. His musical sensitivities are as raw as can be. He can say it all in jut one note. When he says I'll play this bit here for you he just brought the whole world to a standstill as it listened in awe.
Haven taken classical guitar instruction for a number of years I can now see how important it is for the teacher to correct issues early on. Catch bad habits when they develop and correct posture problems.
All these students had instructors..
Breams posture is horrendous 24/7
@@MIKE-TYTHON why?
I love hearing the contrast from the students' playing and Bream's; he really had wonderful control of the tone.
I ( Hana Girdvainis-Sawyer) was lucky enough to hear Julian Bream play at the Blackstone theater in Chicago when I was just eighteen. I had a front row seat and the passion and beauty of his playing astounded me and brought me to tears. I was lucky enough to meat him personally and the memory has remained a treasure.
Watched this very often and learned something new each time. RIP Meastro. His legacy will live on.
40:10 "Suburban" is the best shadethrowing adjective for a classical guitar performance I've ever heard. These videos are great for both learning these songs and improving my understanding of musicality generally. Thanks for uploading.
I chuckled when he used that word too - sitting here in my suburban home trying to play this piece.
Imagine playing second here after the first guy got smashed! Brave souls :)
Imagine being third when second one was also smashed :D
🤣🤣🤣
When it comes to feel, Julian Bream is amongst the greatest.
Learned Prelude #3 from my guitar teacher back in 1970. I never really did much with it over the years until I discovered this video some years ago. Hearing Bream critique the young player's rather mechanical performance and then demonstrating how to play it with the proper nuances - breathing such life into it! - was so inspiring I dusted off the old guitar and relearned this piece and now I am obsessed with it and with Bream and this video. I like to imagine I am there with this group of aspiring players at the master's home, rich with the smell of cedar and spruce guitars, on this lovely English afternoon, and I get my chance, "OK, Alex. Let's hear Prelude #3 then". After some years of putting myself there and playing the piece (and buying a nice classical guitar to replace the old Yamaha student guitar, fnally) I can at long last play it competently. When I play it Bream is always sitting beside me, nodding or frowning, I didn't think that would ever happen, some 50 years after learning it (thanks Jimmy M., for those lessons all those years ago and thanks Julian Bream and thanks to RareGuitar VC for the upload.
Julian Bream has always been my favorite guitar player, these recorded masterclasses really help alot of people develop strong technique. thank you for posting.
Bream magnetizes the notes in an unmatched blooming.
Fantastic teacher, really gives the second student a master's insight into phrasing and sound production.
Off course the all time great Julian Bream played table tennis. I didn't think I could love him more.
If a teacher critiqued young people like this today, I swear they'd start crying.
I've had some brutal masterclasses.
A pruned tree grows bigger branches as does a rose bush.
You got to cut the bad parts out to allow for growth.
These students clearly have already gone through years of training and thrive on criticism, any student of this level values feedback that will make them better, because the way they're already pushing themselves means they're striving to be nothing but the best. They subscribed to come to a masterclass and perform for one of the worlds finest in hopes of getting feedback...
To be frank the way he talks is brutal but along with a demonstration of how it can sound better, you instantly realize there's truth in what he's saying and the student shouldn't be hurt. and the standards for professional musicians nowadays is higher than ever. if these students are trying to make a career as a classical guitarist these type of subtleties are enough to get them a job or keep them unemployed because it's so competitive and unless you're playing in the best way ever someone else like Julian Bream would get the gig instead.
lol! Yep, and they'd have to run to their "safe space" and still demand a participation trophy.
Criticism is fine as long as it is constructive. Julian was a straight talking Londoner. Even a hobby player like myself can learn a lot watching this.
Well it depends how new they were. If you talked that blunt to somebody new they probably wouldn't know how to take it but, people like these guys they've been doing it long enough. But he was still pretty blunt though, but i think the important thing is there was no malice in his words. If you wanna speak blunt it has to come from kindness and helping, if not, everyone will hate you.
Some 'artists', if you'll forgive the paradox, seem to exist at both higher and deeper levels. These students sound impressive enough but Mr Bream's deconstruction leaves them as dry bones in a desert. The thing is, he sounds to be right. Truly informative.
This is absolute gold. I'm just about to record these pieces and this has helped so much. RIP ❤
Oh, he is not, but flawed like you and me.
Thank you Mr. Bream for working so incredibly hard all your life to improve the public perception of the classical guitar as a respectable recital instrument. In my humble opinion, if there is an instrument with a *soul* then it is the classical guitar.
Basically a 4 year music degree summed up in under an hour. Amazing, learned so much.
This is a man with intense feelings and sensitivity to the music. You can’t expect him at the same time to be detached and tolerant of bad playing.
When Julian plays, it sounds just like the recordings. Also the Spruce sounds so much more beautiful
Bream's mastership of the phrasé is incomparable.
Brilliant masterclass
Incredible... This people is already musician by profession and even so take this Master class. Of course... with Julian Bream... I guees at Julian's house. Beautiful by the way
What a treasure, I’m really enjoying this. We can clearly see why he was a master and not just a player. His understanding of music is way beyond than what it’s just on the paper, very impressive, love it, thanks for sharing this material.
I think we can all agree that the real star of the show is JB's combover! Truly moving.
I think the combover was very much of the time, my dad had one until I gave him a No 2 crop it looked much better, as for the guitar playing JB is a master
🤣🤣
After watching this a couple of time I've come to realize this is a goldmine.
In all fairness to the criticism being aimed towards accomplished students, it was a different world just a few decades ago. A teacher would be much less sensitive to get a point across and help you improve, not worrying about hurting your feelings quite so much. The world needs more of this back and less coddling. You can tell when these students were shocked when they didn't receive high marks! Lol. Its amazing I'm a gen x guy and I'm considered old school, but it seems things in every aspect of life were done better back then when men and women had thicker skins. Watching Mr bream demonstrate the lessons makes me wish I could travel back and sit in on just one of these! True master
A lot of teachers are like this in basically every discipline. Just because it was a little more televised back then doesn't mean teachers aren't strict now.
Master of Masters. Very inspiring.
He's really quite a fantastic teacher! Everything he's says to the participants is wisdom! The student has to give everything and more to impress the master.
Essentially, he's telling all of them to slow down and play with more feel , dynamic and precision.
Great guitarists need the best guitars like Maestro Bream's Rominillos. The second I was handed a magnificent guitar the articulations we all want to hear start to appear with less strain and are quite a surprise which makes the player endeavor to excell further into the language of the music, notes then disappear and the story is told. Julian Bream is a great teacher as much as a player. Thank you for posting!
Ok, I had a friend who attended a Julian bream masterclass and believe me all the students had top top instuments . But compared to Julian their instruments all sounded somewhat secont rate. Any how come tea break Julian leaves his guitar on his stool. Students take their chance to have a little play on such an obviously superior instrument . Strings slightly dead action rather high, they can hardly get a decent sound . True story.
Those Breams harmonics are still sounding till today xDD
Magnificent i love this man by just watching his passion for the instrument, music and teaching. I Have picked up my spanish guitar and old sheetmusic again after a long time, and relearning villa lobos. Happy to see that Julian wants accents just where i want to play them and not trying to just play incredibly fast or loud ;-)
What an education.. Bream sublime.
since watching these masterclasses I've noticed that I'm able to identify where to slow-down my own compositions.
& thing's aren't Awesome anymore, they're Remarkable!
Julian Bream made the world better. RIP.
Maravilloso, sencillamente. Bream hace algo que lo convierte en el músico excepcional que es, ama la música. Ese sentir la belleza del sonido es la base de su interpretación. De ahí ese rubato tan natural, las dinámicas y contrastes, los ritardando, el vibrato colorido. La guitarra canta porque él canta con la guitarra cada frase y le da un sentido porque quiere deleitarse a si mismo, no busca impresionar a un posible auditorio, busca principalmente impresionarse. Un genio que comprende lo que hace. Gracias, maestro.
Major respect to those students and major respect to the mistro. Thanks for sharing, I’m going to revisit this a lot.
Julian gave very good advice, not brutal to any degree, explained and demonstrated beautifully. Masterclasses are just like this, each student about to get the most pointed, usable help of their early pre-performing years. They are prepared for this grueling assessment of their shortcomings and will go home with thoughts to last a long time.
Genius. As others have noted, I am sure this would be very intimidating. But if you are a very talented, accomplished player - and you want to go to the next level...this would be an extremely valuable experience. Everyone in that room is lucky to be there. And we are lucky that this was filmed...and that you posted it. THANKS!
RIP master
Uou, I watch your videos, cool to see you here
@@RitaColacoNuminous Hi! I studied guitar for a little while when I was younger. I don't play anymore, but I love listening to the music. :)
When Julian Bream plays it looks effortless and easy. :) A true master of the Classical Guitar. Lovely video footage. Thanks.
A master of anything makes it look easy.
Guitarist at 34:24. I knew him back in the day at college in London. I can't recall his name. He was totally screwed over by Bream here. It wasn't the piece he had prepared, and he wasn't given any notice of the change. Bream slayed him.
Robert Brightmore
That's right. He was a guitar prof at one of the minor London music colleges.@@RickGraham
27.00 - Bream says “fu**ing hell”. Priceless.
Bream's rendition of Mallorca, Sevilla, and La Vida Breve are the best ever
on a side note, I've been playing this piece for years but now having seen this has given me a fresh insight. thanks, uploader
The best Villa Lobos performer Sr Julian Bream.
Brillant and pure genius on teaching the way music should be. I've learn listening to its cds so much over time ....
Bream understands why this is such an extraordinary piece, it gallops, it broods, it reverts to sweet containment, then perches on a note and then almost throws you into panic by going too fast, then reverts to a tight, prim brio, Bream says it "pulsates" he is with its changing moods and tempos every step of the way
Such good analysis. Intuitive flow rendering to the sentiment of the notes.
What a brilliant masterclass. What.a passion!
Damn I get nervous playing infront of my teacher and peers in Community College, I would be a paint shaker doing it infront of Bream lol
No pressure! The playing of Bream is of another world.🌻
You're so missed!😔
Thanks for sharing
"It has to be done with a certain caressing...done with love." 21:50
Watching the second player's journey was really informative and kind of special to watch. He really did hit a couple really beautiful bits, he chose well to do his best to receive the criticism and adapt.
Yeah agreed, great to watch
I love listening to these. I don't play guitar but am an enthusiastic appreciate-er, and these classes help me learn what to listen for.
I'm 43, just started when I was 40, and can play the 3rd better than the student in this episode. I play about 30 minutes a day. If Bream sounds like magic to you, you will find the will to fight through.
henderson's last vs first performance was so much better! bream really knows how to teach. Bravo to all students, having the courage to play in TV and in front of Him. Rest in Peace Master Bream.
I'm currently working on Prelude 3 and I found this incredibly helpful. Just beautiful. I have everything done but to evoke the feelings can sometimes be the hardest part. Needless to say I'm moved by all these pieces.
My teacher said "well you don't want to sound like you're sawing wood" in the B section. This video is invented for people stuck at that point.
Great vídeo,this vídeo is delighted. Everybody is feeling missing from Juliam.
Julian passing on with so much grace and understanding in his tutoring.
Nearly 40 years to date, for this work of art ⚡.
Thanks for sharing this jewel!
It is great to see the grandmaster himself here. In the end ( and overall) it all has to do with the musician you are inside. Bream feels the music deeply and understands it on every level. Furthermore he is capable of putting it into comprehensible words and sounds. It is so a pity that so less professional classical guitarists play with colour as the expression of a felt intention in the composition. In my opninion the use of colour is mediocore, dull, while the possiblility of using colour is there. Listen to Itzhak Perlman on violin, how he uses colour, listen to Bream. Cést la tone qui fait la musique. And to all the professors at Conservatories who claim that this way of playing is not of this time anymore I would suggest to open their to narrow minds and take lessons by watching these clips.
très passionné et passionnante personne. Une richesse pour la musique; RIP Julian.
43:05 ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta TIM!
Julian Bream is a great maestro and also a great teacher of guitar ...
WONDERFUL! THANKS FOR SHARING
Spectacular resource. Thank you
Absolute treasure!
Amazing! Wish I had heard of him earlier!!
wow the maestros touch tone, feel for translation and taste are awesome. your playing is always so beautiful, thank you 4the wonderful music Mr Bream. i really love your study in Bm by F. Sorr
Bream was/is an amazing musician
Thanks so much for sharing this. I've seen Bream in a new light. This helps to understand these preludes better.
To present yourself to a master you know you will be rubbished and that it's the absolute best thing for you, I salute these fellows' bravery.
It's astonishing that when we watch YT videos of a young Julian Bream, as well as a virtuosic technical ability, he conveys an equally astonishing level of dynamics in touch/feel/phrasing/ emotion i.e. the beating heart/soul of the music, in his playing. Very few can combine technical ability AND be able to convey the 'soul' of the music. I'd place David Russell in this group too. Since much/all of this comes from your own 'character'/soul then being able to convey expression will ultimately depend on your own character. Yes, you can 'learn' this, however, it's going to sound somewhat artificial compared to a musician who truly 'feels' the music.
He had album named "dedication". The name explains the man. I dont think anyone else has thought so deep about the meaning of each note.
Great lessons. Exceptional combination of technical skills, music sensitiveness, and teaching abilities. Just in a different league.
Bream has a really interesting right hand technique.
Learning Prelude No.3 at the moment, this is invaluable. Absolutely amazing.
He's quite intimidating, I would'nt like to be on that stage with him..
Actually thats a lie, I'd love it.
but it is also very inspiring
Yes, very intimidating, he'd come across as a bit of an arrogant git if he wasn't such a master who was right!
well there is a reason because i is called a masterclass
Student: displays great technical ability
Julian: displays a fucking masterpiece.
Man we sure do miss you Julian.