Julian Bream visits William Walton and Susana Walton on Ischia, Italy

[@pietbliksem]

Julian Bream was the reason I took up guitar. As well as being an exquisite guitarist, he was also such an interesting character. I read his early biography 'A Life on the Road' and found it every bit as enjoyable and inspiring as reading Segovia's biography was. He belonged to a bygone era. It feels as if something irreplaceable is gone.

[@Peterwrightguitar67]

My feelings exactly when reading that book and watching him on video - truly never to be seen again I fear.

[@davepowell7168]

A brilliant dedication to Bream

[@caneti3]

Thanks Julian Bream for your passion on guitar. DEP

[@KennethKamguitar]

Rest in peace Julian Bream! He brought us a lot of good memories.

[@MrTeapotpixie]

the 5 bagatelles are jewels in the classical guitar crown. lovely video. i think bream's contribution to the instrument, both his playing and commissioning of these pieces and many others, outweighs anyone else's including segovia's.

[@KennethKamguitar]

The way Bream was able to encourage composers to write music for the classical guitar and promote historical plucked string instruments was incomparable!

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

Agreed. Beautiful composition and outstanding use of Harmony

[@KennethKamguitar]

@@amcdougall9998 Hello! Thank you for your comments. There is no doubt Maestro Segovia made a huge impact at the first place. Successors like Julian Bream and John Williams took it to another stage afterwards. From my point of view, they were all of unique historical role in the classical guitar development path. I am not sure I can agree "as nothing compared". Without Julian's contributions, a huge English repertoire wouldn't be available in the classical guitar spectrum. The early music scenes including the vihuela, renaissance lute and so on wouldn't have been revived and brought to the light among other instruments. I am just thankful that we had pioneers like them who dedicated their life to the instrument in the pre-internet time, one after another.

[@MrTeapotpixie]

@@amcdougall9998 hmm interesting. i can't deny that segovia's contribution to the classical guitar was immense although, as i understand it, the classical and flamenco guitar's are two separate instruments. personally, i believe that bream sought to modernise the classical guitar by commissioning many pieces, concertos and suites written by the greatest living composers of the day whereas segovia was a bit of a stick in the mud traditionalist and therefore we owe bream the biggest debt of gratitude as the classical guitars popularity may well of fizzled out by now.

[@frankmerendino1855]

@@amcdougall9998 an instrument on which only flamenco is played? This seems to disregard the fact that there were other classical guitarists of note and prodigious abilities preceding Segovia, and during his time. Barrios and Llobet come to mind immediately. The tradition stretches back long before him, and I think would have continued. This is not to downplay Segovia's contributions. He put the classical guitar into the main concert halls of the world, encouraged composition for it, helped put it into music schools and conservatories, and raised overall public consciousness about the instrument, which however is still quite low. He was a giant. But, somehow I think the classical guitar tradition would still have continued without him, albeit with a different trajectory. Secondly, it sounds demeaning to the entire tradition of flamenco. I have been just as if not more moved by compositions and performances of Paco de Lucia than much of what I've heard from classical players...including Segovia. And, that is not meant to demean Segovia. It just speaks of the brilliance of someone such as Paco. It is a different art form, not lesser, even if Segovia in his snobbery couldn't see it. We are certainly enriched by having all these giants who have contributed to the development of the guitar and its music in different styles and ways. Add in jazz and popular styles geniuses as well. I write this as a conservatory trained classical guitarist.

[@luizrabelo9860]

Master of masters!

[@itopus1]

A rare delight. Thank you.

[@KennethKamguitar]

You're welcome Ivan. Glad you enjoyed this video!

[@charlesputnam9370]

I always enjoy listening to Julian Bream thank you for your video. I can play a little classical guitar. Julian is a master at a very beautiful and difficult art.

[@KennethKamguitar]

Thank you for your comment. I am glad that you enjoyed it. This video is part of my William Walton research project. If you'd like to read more, check out my personal website for the published articles in GFA Soundboard journal.

[@MrMjp58]

Although written and I think, recorded in '72, I didn't come across them [The Bagatelles] until '79. They came as something of a revelation after years of listening to pop, rock, jazz etc.

[@georgewilkins4231]

Marvelous...

[@kakaysouza6406]

Julian Bream é o grande mestre dos mestres violonísticos. Uma vida inteira dedicada às cordas e com muito brilhantismo... extremo brilhantismo, eu diria. Depois de Segóvia, com certeza vem Mister Bream.

[@edwardwjonathanlamb6792]

Thanks Ken!

[@KennethKamguitar]

You are very welcome Jonathan!

[@stuie46]

They certainly are good William.

[@Ivan1burnf4ces]

william really rocks those floaties tho 👀

[@KennethKamguitar]

Indeed! It is very rare to see the composer in floaties haha

[@aarongreen2735]

Not entirely true...Stravinsky also wore water wings (floaties) occasionally. Andrew Lloyd Webber on the other hand never took them off.

[@thoyo]

The clearest artificial harmonics I've ever heard

[@KennethKamguitar]

Needless to say this is recorded outdoor...that's incredible!

[@davideleftheriou3176]

Amazing

[@KennethKamguitar]

Thank you for the comment David!

[@Peter-vd9wi]

Cool! Cheers 😁

[@KennethKamguitar]

You're welcome Peter!

[@lylecohen1638]

Is this part of a documentary film?

[@KennethKamguitar]

Thank you for your question! From my knowledge, this is all the footage involving William Walton and Julian Bream in this particular documentary. I put them together and the above is the combined version.

[@oriraykai3610]

William Walton seems like a very private person. Hard to get to know.

[@johnshort5003]

Why the water wings when the pool appears to be fairly shallow?

[@rafaelronquilloguitar]

What film is this from?

[@KennethKamguitar]

It is from "William Walton: At the Haunted End of the Day"

[@rafaelronquilloguitar]

@@KennethKamguitar Thank you so much! :)

[@KennethKamguitar]

@@rafaelronquilloguitar You are welcome!