Julian Bream Masterclass 1978: J.S.Bach Fugue in A minor

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

This is how television should be used.

[@andrewwilkins2667]

I am 59 years old and, as a child, was forced to learn the violin - which I did to quite a high standard. I rebelled and spent my youth listening to ELP, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and Free. I still do listen to them but something amazing happened about a year ago. I was trawling KZbin and came across this video - I had heard of Julian Bream of course, but never paid him any attention; however, I watched this video and rediscovered, after nearly 50 years, my love of classical music, and Bach in particular - but also the beauty of the guitar. So, here I am aged 59, now learning to play the classical guitar - and I watch this video at least once a week, (more often if I am finding something particularly difficult) for inspiration. All I can say is "thank you Mr Bream, you continue, to inspire me on a daily basis". One day I hope to be able to play this piece!

[@usfghost]

Andrew Wilkins how is your guitar adventure going sir

[@samday9328]

@@usfghost - thank you for asking - struggling on. Can now get through the Largo from Vivaldi's lute concerto and starting a easy(oh really!) Bach Fugue. :)

[@skinnykarlos710]

Andrew Wilkins, I imagine that if you've continued your studies that you're at quite a decent level by now; I do hope so as the guitar, like the violin are two of the most wonderful inventions of mankind. My journey mirrors yours in that it was the guitar that I studied as a child (and continue - do we ever stop?) and in my 40s (I'm 55 now) wanted to learn a truly orchestral instrument and with $ as it was the violin was the cheapest to both buy and string ongoing. I love them both as I love Bach and continue to play the rock/blues that you alluded to in your rebellious teens but it will always be the classical music that keeps me glued to both the guitar and the violin. All the best from Australia, Mark.

[@markupton1417]

If you'd seen Bream play with Grappelli it'd make you want to go back to violin....

[@misterree1443]

That is truly wonderful.

[@kevinmaillet4712]

Ive been learning this fugue since i was 17 and the year was 1987. Here I am at age 54, still learning. That is the beauty of Bach

[@lanechange2795]

Extremely difficult piece to play fluently and sufficiently separate the voices. Took me 3 months of daily practice to perform this fugue adequately, and another 3 months to perform well. The problem with J.S. Bach compositions is there is no breathing room: just an endless barrage of notes. So if you fall off the beam, its almost impossible to find your way back on. Kudos to these students who had to play this monster in front of one of the greatest musicians who ever lived.

[@emilvincent5034]

i also began learning this piece, it kinda bothers me that i was only able to finish 10 measures or so a day

[@hydrabane72]

3 months is impressive! I’ve been trying to learn Bach fugue in Cm for 2 years haha

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

I played this in an exam along with Rodrigo zapateado, sors magic flute and Frescobaldi aria, and torroba sonatina in 3 months , it was a tough program, you can see why people play the same repetoire over and over,

[@davidschestenger3366]

@@emilvincent5034 lucky you if you are able to study 10 measures a day, sometimes a couple of them can keep you forever

[@CatalogoVillalobos]

I am not sure. Maybe there were more pauses and breathing on performing music at the Bach' s times... And perhaps the pace and tempos of the music were also much slower...

[@thebeatcreeper]

Julian Bream is an incredible musician. God bless his soul.

[@axeman2638]

Indeed, my favourite classical player.

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

Yes, and also a highly polished speaker.

[@larryjohnny]

I love these master class videos by Julian Bream. His advice is so real and he's not afraid to share his secret strategies. I hope classical guitar gets popular again!

[@larryjohnny]

I agree with you 100%. I wish classical guitar would come back to popularity. It's a great contrast to all the digital interaction we have today. Playing classical guitar doesn't need electricity, wi-fi, nothing... just some dedication!

[@deenibeeniable]

I like them too, even though I don't play guitar. It helps me to learn what I'm listening for.

[@Ana_crusis]

it's never been unpopular. and nerdy assholes?? Have you looked at the current batch of 'pop' stars ha ha ha ha ha

[@mattbod]

Classical guitar is super popular these days.

[@kristijanpavlovic]

Classical guitar is today probably the most popular its ever been, so dont worry.

[@michaeldeane9029]

I saw a Bream lute recital at the Sydney Opera house in the 70's. On the very last note he played to end the first half a string broke. The audience and Julian broke up into spontaneous laughter. Not only was his musicality amazing his humour was evidenced by his reaction. I'm so pleased to have seen him live in concert. I wish I had been talented enough to attend one of his classes, these participants obviously gain great insights from his feedback. I also saw him on a tv special where at a party he played some of Django's music. Legend..

[@Lpminutes]

I took a masterclass with John Mills on this particular fugue,he instructed me to whatch this video,in which you can see him attending too !

[@skinnykarlos710]

Julian Bream is very sadly missed. His life truly was a life well lived. Wonderful music and a ceaseless passion for it.

[@robs5252]

I just heard of his passing - so sad and such a loss. When I started studying the classical guitar back in 1993, Bream was the first album/CD I purchased to listen and learn from.

[@monktrane325]

I just started at 68 years of age. Julian is brilliant.

[@theshapeexists]

Never too late to pick up such a therapeutic hobby. Hope you're still playing and making progress.

[@growandgame]

I honestly think Julian Bream is the best guitarist to ever live.

[@MrLuridan]

Me too.

[@francolaferraro5145]

QUPD

[@steviejd5803]

I agree.

[@steviejd5803]

Truth God I’ll go and look him up now.

[@theshapeexists]

The guitar is too dynamic an instrument to name one the best. He certainly is top tier classical guitar players. Shawn lane in my opinion was the greatest electric player but the instrument has been reinvented and reinterpreted as to what is possible since his passing. This new wave of players are incredible. Tosin abasi, Antoine Dufour ,andy McKee, Tommy Emmanuel, Tim Henson, Paul Gilbert are great examples of how dynamic the instrument is. Bream is like the Itzhak Perlman of guitar

[@terrygribb9185]

As a rock guitarist I've realised how technically advanced they are. I bow down to them.

[@steveb9325]

Classical guitarist respect rock guitarist too! Have you heard Sharon Isbin play Steve Vai guitar? It's pretty hilarious. There's definitely a way different touch and technique to an electric guitar...true musicians respect each other no matter the genre cause we all know it takes hours and hours and years of practice 🙏

[@tribestribes2555]

This it,s so bloody easy to play.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

I quite like how he even catches himself. 10:55 This not only gives the student a chance to feel less picked apart, but also, and more importantly, this illustrates the simple fact that _everyone, no matter their skill level_ should always be working on _mastering_ the instrument. Once a person believes they have attained mastery, they may as well quit playing, because they have just lost sight utterly of what expression is all about.

[@fusion-music]

The best teacher of classical guitar. There are many great players, but he stood out in his poetic form & soulfulness.

[@cycling.guitarist]

In 1972 I learned to play this great Fugue during my second year of college as a non- music major , now some 50 years later I am re-learning every nuance and musicality within this piece from the great master Julian Bream! Thank you for the opportunity and uploading this video.

[@johnmcmahonBXLA]

This masterclass is absolutely gold. Julian is a treasure.

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

I liked his way of speaking, really polished.

[@morioro]

What a joy listening to this is, after 40 years playing (as an average amateur) just the first bit of advice ‘there’s a pause, I take a breath’ has changed my appreciation and approach for this, my favourite, Bach piece! And there’s still over an hour of more insights to come! What a treasure this is!

[@systemofstrings4697]

Don't make programmes like this no more by the BBC. A great find, fun to watch.

[@chaswilliams3354]

Listen to this...learn from this...enjoy this....he is giving you pearls of wisdom .

[@giscone1]

I saw Bream several times at various points in his (and mine) life. When I realize that I will never get to see/hear him again I want to cry.

[@eschelar]

Fascinating to see Bream treat everything uniquely. He really takes on the character of the music he is playing. When it's baroque, it's baroque, when it's romantic, it's romantic. He has a keen ear for beauty and it was great listening to him differentiate between 'pretty' and 'beautiful' here, with instruction on things like choosing where on the string to play and such. Fine advice to listen to one's self. I think I'll have to add that as a 5th step to my 4 steps of learning.

[@austinafrench]

eschelar where does he say that?

[@tonybmusic1166]

In the mid 70’s I studied with Joe Pass who used to tell me to sing my solos in my head, essentially trying to get me to think melodically rather than letting my fingers do the walking through memorized scales. When Julian Bream plays this piece it appears to me, that he is singing the fugue subject in his head because he brings it out so beautifully. It is not even remotely mechanical playing.

[@namor637]

He was and still is amazing…….blessed, refined, articulate

[@fidemservavi3128]

It has been a privilege to be part of those classes. You can see and listen to a real Maestro, capital M

[@brianmcshane8268]

RIP Julian. Thanks for everything.

[@tatozy]

Remarquable ! Les conseils d'un grand maitre sont d'une aide précieuse pour l'interprétation de cette fugue

[@nendracung]

Maestro Julian Bream, is also a great teacher of classical guitar

[@chipthequinn]

The frickin' gold standard for musical insight.

[@yaakovhassoun8965]

he just speaks about this peace like he's heard it 10,000 times played by any guitarist that's dared try and record it, it's such a start difference between someone (the students) who learned this piece by score and someone who really learned to appreciate the piece

[@tasmedic]

I started learning Classical Guitar when I was 6 years old, kept on with it until 17, when I had to drop it to study at Uni, then life stepped in and now after raising a family and working hard at my day job, I'm back on with it at 62 years old. As a young player, I hated Bream and couldn't get my head round most of what he was dribbling on about. Now I'm older, I've more patience, experience of life, and what he suggests to these younger players makes absolute sense to me. I'm enjoying my guitar revival, and I already feel I'm a much better player than I was in my teens... although my fingers are a bit stiffer and the brain is a teeny bit less speedy at getting new pieces under my belt. I enjoy playing guitar more than I ever have in my life. Pity there's not a lot of time left to run with it!

[@dylanharnettmarshall9700]

Wow that second guy came in with a vision. Very interesting interpretation

[@rThorWenzel]

Miss. Gangbar really hit the nail on this masterclass. I really enjoyed her performance, she was very nervous but confidently took on the challenge of raising to Bream's requests. Wonderful recording, can't stop learning from it.

[@chrisginn5073]

Love every note Julian Bream plays

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

And I love his speaking also.

[@drawwithbeektor6329]

I’m so glad we have the ability to see all of these so many years later.

[@aadityakiran_s]

Great. I hope it's not taken down. Such things without being here on KZbin most people won't even know exists.

[@thoyo]

you have amassed an amazing collection of guitar videos. I've been subscribed for years and will continue. thx my friend :)

[@mariuspessah2991]

What a great musician and teacher . I learned so much from this video . Thank you Julian !

[@brotherjames1623]

Sat here in Spain listening 🙂🇪🇸

[@TheSphereFrance]

Jullian Bream is the best classical Guitarist ever. The way he brings music and explains it is so obvious once you know it. Amazing and very moving.....

[@nendracung]

Yes, i agree

[@slavaukraini404]

There probably isn't a classical guitarist on earth that didn't learn something from Julian Bream or at least learn something from someone who learned something from him. He was like this when he was 15. People who make comments that he is trying to make a clone of himself don't understand anything. He is a genius and is trying to communicate that genius to others so that they can be the best they can be. These students can already play guitar. He is teaching them how to understand the expression in the music as it was written. They already play the notes. There is another genius in the room who gets a say also and that is Bach. Bream is his messenger. Bach can get heavy, but it can also be as light as the breeze. Imagine sawing away on the Cello's in Air on G String. The bass is light and magnificent at the same time.

[@electrolytics]

I bought a Bach Classical Guitar CD many years ago. All the songs were played by Julian Bream. I never paid any attention to the player. I always listen to classical music as if, in this instance, it was Bach himself playing. That CD is one of my favorites. I always did marvel at the guitar playing on that CD. Not just the technical virtuosity, but the absolute perfect, soulful feeling that performance by Bream has.

[@lancelucifer4851]

Such a great lesson. Thank you Mr. Bream.

[@DHTCF]

Even at my best I wasn't a very good guitarist, but the idea of getting a masterclass from Julian Bream would terrify me. He was sooooo good.

[@robdoubletrouble]

It's amazing how much subtlety can be in even playing the same bloody note 4 times - can hear the roughness in some playings, the strictness in others and the "pedestrian" ( how he puts it - i really like this concept ) of others

[@Lindhofguitar]

Excellent and very instructive - thanks for sharing... Regards Per Lindhof

[@Hilaire_Balrog]

Rarely do you see a teacher this kind towards his students and essentially musical inferiors. You can sense the joy he gets in teaching his art. It palpable how much he cares for their growth, the music and the instrument.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

I’ve had an ongoing 30 year relationship with my classical guitar, albeit a bad one . I’m now 56 and I reckon I’ll need about another 200 years practice until I reach this level but it doesn’t stop me picking up my guitar daily without fail .

[@TruthSurge]

1:55 Tolan - "oh crap.... this Canadian kid's GOOD!" hahaha

[@NichesBeCrazy]

I love the way Julian Bream plays this piece, it’s 👌

[@michellevine1879]

"We like you very much but we like the music too!" 33:40

[@pingdingdongpong]

I don't play any musical instruments, although I do listen to a lot of music. I felt proud that I could spot most of the things Bream were pointing out.

[@thethikboy]

What is the most striking apart from the competence of the guitarist is the level of focus and concentration shown by the young audience. Truly a thing of the past.

[@jc-wx3sm]

"with rest stroke?" "yes, as rest as you can."

[@bruceboome]

Thanks so much for this. I'm working towards doing my performers, with this as one of my pieces- but can't find a teacher in my area who can help me. Who could be better than Mr. Bream.

[@fidemservavi3128]

MAESTRO Bream is giving fantastic advices, this is a real master video

[@leonardfleet50]

I found this so interesting, it must have been a brilliant help to the students involved.

[@Xiaobla]

"Well I'm beginning to know this piece now" gotta love this guy

[@theshapeexists]

My major in college was classical guitar performance. This is gold. I had one hell of a teacher and he praised Bream on a daily basis. Best time in my life was learning all this music and performing it. Wish I could've made it a career, but the economy went south when I got out of college. Still play almost every day though. Ill play until I die or my body gives out.

[@thewickedpickett]

Dear love these guys. Bream simply different level.

[@eugeniuswilliams5457]

I came across Tolan's record in the 2nd hand record shops of Sydney. It is a brilliant album . I think they are his own compositions, and are very individual tunes. His record stands out amongst the many standard repertoire classical albums.

[@mikoten]

Tears welling in the eyes...

[@BernieHolland-w4l]

Yes, it's dreadful isn't it !

[@Kittygo9553]

En 36:22 es fantástico el sonido de las cuerdas. Se nota como Julián queda impregnado de las vibraciones.

[@mcdeadcat]

Fabulous insights

[@mastersofharmonica6200]

Such a treasure of musical wisdom...thank you Julian

[@emilvincent5034]

4:45 violin version arrangement for guitar

[@thomasszejnmann3917]

"we like you, but we like the music too" - a nice way to say: we want to hear Bach and not just somebody who tries to be a superstar.

[@JasonGwynne]

"and Table Tennis" :)

[@garthly]

At this level, he is to some extent communicating a sensibility, which is of course, his own. Inevitably they each have their own, which is slightly swept aside, but they will return to it eventually enriched.

[@pouriam2151]

Rest in peace. In my opinion he is the greatest guitarist of all times.

[@roblabelle7874]

"Try to produce a silvery sound as opposed to a golden sound" at 23:31 made me beam. Brilliant.

[@KevinToine]

Lol, At 47:44 he holds his right hand in a unusual way at the very end. As if he is showing nr 3. He does the exact same thing in the video of him performing this piece.

[@NEVAB4]

fantastic advice

[@pedrovasquez7318]

Es impresionante la forma en la que Julian logra una polifonía perfectamente clara en la obra, un verdadero maestro.

[@ozwald9635]

aprendo muchísimo cada vez me entretengo mas viendo estos Masterclass

[@trump-1-win]

I remember Glenn Gould

[@NEVAB4]

and fantastic student

[@alcyonecrucis]

By Jove, this Man is an OG Brit

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

+alcyonecrucis actually I've always thought he looks like a Portuguese crime boss

[@janicegeorge-allen1924]

I much enjoy the remarks of Students of the guitar, where here is a demonstration,of what could be extremely stressful experience.

[@otto.castro]

At the end it almost feels like he is about to say "In a piece of this magnitude, you lose your concentration for a split second, the piece itself will rip you apart."

[@tmayor1949]

I totally agree

[@MrDISCOVERY123]

He has very good explanation! Thanks for sharing.

[@yogawithpaul173]

Epic! Thanks.

[@ergwald]

This is the fugue in G minor, BWV 1001 (not A minor as stated in the title). Thanks for the upload!

[@rees4232]

Due to the tuning of the instrument, most guitarists play an A minor transcription...

[@davidvassos6400]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@greendude27]

RIP Mastro!

[@Sita1437]

Bream is so right. When he plays it is apparent.

[@jackman00110101]

Her time is so good!

[@joshuabijo1673]

If julian bream was teaching me guitar then i would have totally failed cuase he is the best.

[@maxsteinhoff]

RIP Julian Bream!

[@kylfyre]

just love this

[@philtanics1082]

Sucks when you realize youre not even good enough to be on stage getting ripped apart by Mr Bream lol

[@lukea5067]

I wish I was good enough for Julian to tear me a new one

[@isi2isi67]

Crazy none of the featured guitarist seem to be playing any longer.

[@isi2isi67]

I just found reference to one of the guitarists that released an album more than 2 decades ago.

[@iagobroxado]

Isadore Michas Living out of classical music is not easy... or any other genre of music .

[@isi2isi67]

oddly enough most of the tenured guitarists teaching at most universities have no recordings either. This I find interesting.One really has to sacrifice in that game or be born independently wealthy and even then.A bad bought of trigger finger put an end to my playing over 10 years ago. There are too many variables working against you.

[@larryjohnny]

I agree. I have managed to play classical guitar until now but the income is becoming an issue... It was my choice and so far I still think it was worth it to dedicate my time to the classical guitar, especially Spanish guitar.. Perhaps all the modern music just turned everyone off. I mean have you ever tried to listen to the entire cd of modern guitar music, or even really old renaissance stuff. I can appreciate it as a musician but the music just doesn't connect with non-musicians the way that other genres do.. It partly due to the lack of music education at all levels of the education system. Let's face it, the modern stuff needs a manual in order to enjoy the music. The modern stuff just can't stand on it's own the way the traditional Spanish guitar pieces do..

[@philtanics1082]

larryjohnny ya its very hard, I could never make ends meet playing , and work construction to pay the bills, but the beating it gives my hands and nails makes it very hard to even maintain my meager skills at this point. I really hope you are still able to play professionally, its a wonderful skill.

[@bastiatintheandes4958]

Why Irishman James Galway has been knighted and not Julian Bream?

[@TruthSurge]

14:09 he rushed those 2 notes.

[@saltyjosh]

The old Julian Bream pinky wreaking Havoc. The man was a genius

[@DIEGOGONZALEZ-np9ed]

now i understand why he is to most in the top 3 clasical guitarists of all time!!

[@beerdeddi1]

Julián Bream was a great person. One sees here his friendly and obliging kind. In return I look at Segovia's masterclass 1965, Segovia was like an asshole to his participants. Overbearing and without any empathy. In addition, Segovia was overvalued anyway and Bream was better than Segovia.

[@benkim2016]

Agreed. Segovia often got angry and scolded and even kicked some students out of master classes. Some of these students became professors and take it out on their own students as well. The psychological damamge must have been deep.

[@noodledoodle4828]

Agreed. Segovia's top disciple John Williams said Segovia's way of teaching was not good. Julian Bream was not only a great guitarist but also a man of character. RIP.

[@DHTCF]

The last student in this class seemed quite nervous. Interesting to see how he didn't abandon the purpose of the class with her, but wasn't overbearing.

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

Bream plays music not the guitar , watching this and his insights makes me realize how much I dont know ,these advanced students are no mugs yet he can knock them down to size very quick

[@nbnguitar]

Agreed

[@gsgleason]

It must be hard to be so torn apart in front of everyone like that. I think I might cry.

[@larryjohnny]

He seems a lot nicer than Segovia..

[@TheGuitarsquatch]

larryjohnny That isn't very hard to do.

[@CT2507]

i don't think so. i am sure all students seen here are intelligent people and know that they are immensely helped, and without being "torn apart" they cant go to the next level.

[@Pontan145]

I have played in several masterclasses and yes it is frightening but after a while you tend to forget there even is an audience listening. You become so focused and intent on doing what the teacher shows you. Its an awesome learning-experience. I still remember playing for Göran Söllscher more than 10 years ago and what he had to say. :)

[@CT2507]

Pontus Nordborg awesome! ;)

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

he gives a bend to the fourth note - not sure if that is in the manuscript...

[@robinterkzer8128]

A genius ! xxxxxxx