Julian Bream plays for Stravinsky (vaimusic.com)

www.vaimusic.c...
Excerpt of Julian Bream playing for Stravinsky
From: VAI DVD 4290 Stravinsky
The definitive profile of the great Russian composer/conductor, Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971). Over 80 years old at the time of filming in 1965, Stravinsky was full of the joy of life, with an alert memory for people and events in music, literature, and art. Viewers will be treated to Stravinsky reminiscing about his remarkable life, travelling with his wife aboard ship en route to Hamburg and conducting the CBC Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Singers of Toronto in a recording of his Symphony of Psalms. A rare glimpse of the master and his extraordinary life, throughout which moved such legendary figures as Rimsky-Korsakov, Picasso, Rodin, Debussy, and Dylan Thomas.
TO PURCHASE THE COMPLETE DVD, PLEASE VISIT www.vaimusic.com OR CALL TOLL-FREE IN THE US 1(800)477-7146 (OUTSIDE OF THE US, CALL 914-769-3691).

[@calatria2949]

Interview with Bream - "I  was on tour in Toronto with a camera team and was asked would I like to meet Stravinsky and play him something on the lute and I said "Of course!" But when I got there the poor chap was just about to conduct the Symphony of Psalms in a recording session; they rolled me on and it was obvious that this was just not what he wanted. He was obviously annoyed and I don’t blame him. I had total sympathy for him. But it was the most embarrassing moment of my career"

[@hminkema]

Well, that was kind of obvious for any sensible person who saw this 'meeting'. But I commend Mr. Bream for being so frank as to admit it.

[@antonelloschiano5815]

Thanks for posting this part of Bream's interview. Since there was no translation in the video, I understood that the maestro was annoyed by Bream, and he made me tender and admire him, for his coldness and skill, he played without warming up with extreme skill. Julian Bream is the lute of the 20th century. Thanks again

[@Grivendal]

'Hey...wanna see my lute?' Stravinsky aroused

[@MrGer2295]

R.I.P. JULIAN BREAM 🌹

[@JohnJApanovitch]

Oh my goodness, I just found out about that. He seemed like an amazing musician, and he must have been so honored to play in front of Maestro Stravinsky himself. This world is losing so many people that were too amazing. Rest in peace, Mr. Bream.

[@ramiroconi2080]

0:57 Bream heated and melted the heart of Stravinsky exactly in this moment...

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

How marvelous to see John Dowland speaking across the centuries to his peer, Igor Stravinsky.

[@jimchevallier528]

Amusing how quietly pushy Bream is being despite Stravinsky making it clear he's busy.

[@adrianburridge2378]

That took a lot of BALLS to do that...especially with a Lute....hats of to Bream!

[@FrancescoTeopini]

" Stravinsky is excited by the phisical presence of musical instruments!"

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Stravinsky was so excited that he told Bream ' I HAVE NO TIME "

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

The narrator should not have spoken over the music.

[@tubafatness]

I love how Stravinsky seems to stop in his tracks upon listening to Bream play. Cool video, indeed.

[@chrisnewbury3793]

I don't think he was expecting another master of his craft

[@minasgekos]

haha, this video is priceless. Stravinsky was very old, he was in the middle of a recording, had lot of things in his mins. As someone pointed out, bad moment for this to happen.

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Bad timing ,but Bream probably thought it is now or never.....

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

I think it relaxed and inspired him immensely.

[@greatdavid8790]

I would never like this piece without this video, that's why Bream is such a great inspiration. This piece helped me a lot to overcome life, this is when I realized how strong music is.

[@dbadagna]

"Flow My Tears." Sting has also recorded this timeless song.

[@soffronitsky]

At first I was shocked watching this video. But then I realized how incredible was meeting one of the most legendary composer of all times. A giant, an immense genius. And how ambitious can be a young and talented musician like Bream. Who is, in my opinion, the greatest classical guitar player of our time.

[@bally28]

good on bream, he had the balls to play in front of Stravinsky without error or warm up and not to preconceive or pigeon hole Stravinsky's just because he composed 20th century compositions, with a good ole fashioned lute piece.

[@tomgamblemusic]

he was trying to persuade stravinsky to compose a piece for him, in an interview Bream said "I've never been more embarresed in my life"

[@Soytu19]

thats true

[@gammondog]

That's the kind of thing only a young man would do. And only a young man could do, without being labeled as being presumptuous. I wonder if the old maestro followed Bream's recordings and what he thought of them.

[@belablackrose2967]

😢

[@TheBlueCream]

@@gammondog he must have loved them

[@antonelloschiano5815]

Julian is my favorite musician of renaissance music. R.I.P. 🙏

[@sieuminh]

I'd absolutely poo my pants just holding an instrument in Stravinsky's presence ...

[@BernieHollandMusic]

No shit !

[@Ben_Rothenburg_]

This video is endearingly awkward. It's so beautiful in a way that's kinda both admirable and brave.

[@philomelodia]

Julian naturally speaks with that accent. I've heard him speak many times and that's just how the man talks. He may've laid it on thicker, not to patronize but to be on his best behavior before the maestro. People often polish up their speech when addressing themselves to others they respect. I, for one, was rather touched by his sincerity.

[@DiegoCastro-ky4gl]

How beauty are the musicians life surrounded by music.

[@RobertoMartinez-kv5tp]

Stravinsky tal vez no sabía que estaba frente a uno de los mejores laudistas de todos los tiempos y el mejor guitarrista que ha pisado este planeta.

[@HG-bs3en]

Anyone should show enough respect to stop and admire how beautifulo that sounded. The lute is such a rich instrument.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

Almost as much as a harp.

[@UCHalcyon]

Just in case anyone cares, he's playing John Dowland's Flow My Teares (or another Dowland piece with that melody, anyway), one of my favorite tunes!

[@alexgibson2871]

i remember this piece from school - stayed with me and not often included in programmes for some reason. really nice.

[@echever7]

Yes, you're right. Let just enjoy this piece of history!!.

[@simonshusse]

A rather awkward meeting up until Bream starts to play, after he is done I get the feeling that Stravinsky would have preferred more lute music instead of his original agenda. I'm glad Bream stood his ground and played the Pavane! :-)

[@mattyjmusic4210]

The audacity to persuade Igor to play Lute for him must be nerve racking but only Bream could do something like that and furthermore impress.

[@paulschreiber3433]

One knows when he's in the presence of greatness (JB); the other knows when he's in the presence of great music (IS). Fantastic clip! As always, wonderfully executed by Julian.

[@andrewwheeldon3957]

2:29 Sravinsky leans back, realising exactly how good this man is. and yes 3:40 kindness in the hand motion and gratitude, a beautiful moment.

[@ryanblinkguy]

Stravinsky talks in the same manner and commands the same presence as Segovia; great musicians and great minds alike

[@BrettHollett]

I mean, it sounded like he was nervous as all hell but I guess to some this is pretty Ballsy.

[@robinmendoza-robinson8160]

This made me incredibly emotional

[@GordiansKnotHere]

This is a pretty amazing piece of film. Thanks very much!

[@betterthantelly2993]

I love Julian Bream he is a work of art. And when I learn about Stravinsky I will give him my love too. Ok so 5 mins of Rite Of Spring a cacophonous tense seemingly confused expression-I love it.

[@PedramFalsafi]

I love the way Bream starts talking to Stravinsky......how are youuuu??? :) so funny

[@ThomasTheBari]

He plays "Flow My Tears" by John Dowland.

[@aaaaaaaaabaaaaaaaaa]

It's actually the Lachrimae Antiquae Pavan, which would later go on to inspire Flow my Tears, but what he plays is the original Lachrimae

[@rokus666]

"Very bad to meet you" :)

[@peteklat]

Bream did what every good performer SHOULD do - elicit more music from composers. Without Bream we would have nothing from Britten. This may be Bream's best legacy.

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Yes ,we would not have that ugly monstrosity aka Nocturnal.

[@Soytu19]

Thats right. Bream was trying to introduce Stravinsky into the string pluck sound. Although i woud say Stravinsky prefered wind instruments for composing music. To be honest i dont see Stravinsky writing solo pieces for the guitar. The kind of music for the guitar and/or lute is very delicate, very pure and objective and Stravinskys approach to music was too ambiguous and "barbaric", and pretty much based on counterpoint. Therefore it would have been very difficult for him to write something for the guitar. However he did use the sound of the guitar in some of his music: listen to "four russian folk songs"

[@carlostringhi7822]

@@lawrencetendler2342 I do agree!

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

There's far worse than that. As a collegiate hearing its premiere, I liked it.@@lawrencetendler2342

[@DiegoNavaja]

This is gold man. Pure gold.

[@wohololao]

Lachrimae Pavan by John Dowland :)

I envy my father... when he went to the Royal musical academy in Stockholm, Sweden, he was present at Igor Stravinskys visit there, and was blessed with a glimpse of the maestro himself... God how I envy my dad...

[@georgewilkins4231]

Marvelous

[@alkoolblue]

Thank you for sharing this impressive document!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

What dedication and skill to play an instrument like the Lute, and the Wonderful Mr Bream

[@lukepedlar1054]

how noisy the room is before he starts then playing then as he starts utter silence! Definitely my favourite piece of dowlands!

[@murattaner7384]

Beautiful music, wonderfully played. Bravo Master Julian. :))))

[@OscilloscopeRhythms]

I love this video great piece of history and quite funny really The voice over is pure comedy I think Julian Bream comes across as fairly normal in this to me to be honest not sure why people have such a problem with it

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Stravinsky had no time, only 5/8 followed by two bars of 7/8 .

[@decoolwise]

What on earth is that supposed to mean??

[@evancastillo808]

It’s some of the time signature changes In the rite of spring

[@obiwan88]

Doesn't change the fact it's a lame joke even if I know what you are trying.

[@bigred527]

This videogives me chivers. Two true masters.

[@atsunnyside2158]

Magic. Thank you.

[@tuxguys]

(7 years ago) Y'know, you all are wrong on two key points: Stravinsky wasn't imposed upon, he obviously loved this; and so what the hell if Bream fawned over Stravinsky? Good God, people, it's Stravinsky! I wish I could fawn over him! I wish I could fawn over Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Faure! If I ever get to meet Ezra Laderman, I'll fawn over him! (7 years ago) Actually, according to the v/o narration (Orson Welles? Sure sounds like him), Stravinsky had a love of the lute and the literature written for it. And it's been my experience, on the other side of the (musical) aisle, that all great "progressive" innovators are thoroughly familiar with, and have a healthy, affectionate respect for, what has gone before them. Newton said it about Science, but it's just as true about the Arts: "I (We) stand on the shoulders of giants."

[@hughshrapnel4448]

Bream is so patronising

[@alejandrocorona1766]

Increíble, el señor Bream practicamente llega a "echar la paloma" y hace una interpretación conmovedora

[@pinkteph]

Hermoso Momento.

[@kirkdoray3393]

awesome capture of two greats meeting for 1st time

[@dokonidanko]

wonderful video

[@fredfloyd68]

Two genious men found each other.

[@jaangunnar]

Agreed on all points.

[@jafsc]

Wonderful communion!

[@chrisnewbury3793]

Imagine the pressure of sitting down to play a tune for Stravinsky...

[@uneedtherapy42]

I imagine this would have become a meme back in that time if there would have been Instagram. Like the kid following the girl playing the trumpet

[@WilliamEGD]

Oh how beautiful... He plays Stravinsky my favourite piece by Dowland "Lacrimae/Flow my Tears" and I've never heard it so sweet.

[@thedominictapes]

J'adore!

[@ex0rdium]

Just a beautiful video...

[@elseverwoerd]

Perhaps you did not know that Stravinsky loved older music. For instance, he was inspired by and rearranged music by Gesualdo (renaissance) and it was Mozart who inspired him to write The Rake's Progress. Composers can love music from any century and still maintain a 'modern' voice of their own.

[@alexgibson2871]

wow straight off to look this up, thanks!

[@tedcabana]

That is so awesome how Stravinsky greets, and allows this no named guitarist to sit and play the lute for him. Perhaps this was the moment that made Julian one of the worlds most famous guitarists. I was honored to have met him one many years ago.

[@TheBlueCream]

no name ?..hes JULIAN BREAM !!

[@lawrencetendler2342]

"Wanna see my LOOT ?? "

[@user-hj9qs9rg2d]

The music that was played on lute I like more than Stravinsky,s music

[@tompoore2081]

Stravinsky was annoyed at first. He tried to give the brush-off, but Bream was gracious and clever enough to turn it into a compliment. Then he got to the point by offering to play something. Stravinsky’s manner changed as he realized Bream was a master musician. Yes, it was an ill-fated venture. That said, kudos to Bream for trying, however awkward it was for him.

[@Lucygeno]

woow superb video :O two genius together :D

[@lavicap1291]

great !

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Bream played well ,especially considering that he felt under pressure ,he was being hurried. Stravinsky could perhaps have been more gracious towards Bream.

[@larryn9230]

I love Stravinsky

[@danilorainone406]

stravinsky recorded his sacre du printemps ( listened to this years ago over WFMT,I forget which orchestra it was),it was a rehearsal,, start stop,,tune instruments adjust sound levels, for the 5 mics,stravinsky had back & forth words with the boys in the booth,finally he says to the engineer,'hokay younngk man,it seems like you know your zjob' a great man,

[@moreroger6041]

gold

[@Soytu19]

Yes, it'd have been awesome taking Stravinsky into this world. But he actually did compose for guitar.

[@josecoello6422]

Quite Interesting.

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

What did he compose for guitar? I've never heard of it.

[@Soytu19]

Julian Bream had been trying to contact with Stravinsky for several weeks and finally he could met him here. His first intention was to persuade Stravinsky to get into the world of the string pluck sound. That's why he played the lute for him, as if hoping that those notes would enter into the head of Stravinsky to persuade him to write for the guitar or lute, a plucked string instrument actually. That's what he apparently did with Hans Werner Henze and i bet with William Walton too. Bream encouraged composers to write for him, he went after them (as it is the case of Stravinsky) and at the same time some composers admired Julian Breams playing so they composed FOR Julian Bream and therefore for the guitar also. They didn't really admire the guitar, but more likely the guitar in the hands of Julian Bream, so... the guitar too. Search for "Stravinsky - Four Russian Songs" there you can see a guitar by Stravinsky. And he also used the guitar sound for other orchestral pieces, like the Ebony Concerto. But yes it's a pity that he never composed solo pieces for the guitar.

[@skanjohnny]

Rip

[@watercolour]

woah!! Julian Bream met Stravinsky!!

[@pabzum]

You've got it right.

[@Technogrow55]

A nervous and fanboyish Julian Bream being introduced to an exhausted but still (slightly) cordial Stravinsky. Bream asks that eternal question-"Would you like to see my lute?" . Then for the first time and briefly, starts serenading the Maestro on his lute. Stravinsky is hypnotized as Bream plays Dowland's Lachrimae Pavan! THANKS

[@samuelcabellogonzalez7590]

COOOOOOOOOOL 🙀🙀🙀😘😍🤩😀😁

[@lawrencetendler2342]

You can not blame a man for trying ,actually Bream deserved to be treated with more respect ,they should have made time for him ,they were a bit rude to him.

[@motosportadv8177]

2 masters 😊!!!

[@carlostringhi7822]

1 master and 1/2

[@motosportadv8177]

Carlo Stringhi what are you on about? Bream is only a 1/2?

[@davidjones500]

When one observes the music of the spheres, occasionally one witnesses two planets passing in orbit...

[@pauljannone123]

Would you like to see a lute, would you like to see my lute. Classic. What a character Julian bream is!!

[@sep1664]

There are some comments on here about Stravinsky vs Bream as to who is the greater musician. Stravinsky is a genius, a leviathan of 20th Century music and one of the most influential composers ever to have lived. I just don't have any words to describe how great a musician Bream is.

[@kmack2891]

Pushy. Quite wonderful.

[@maeless]

Rather touching

[@codonauta]

Yes, you're right.

[@user-tb9rw7dh2t]

👍🌹

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

herrrlich!

[@echever7]

I think you're being a little harsh on Bream. It seems Stranvinsky didn't suffer a bit by this "Bream`s imposing himself" ". In fact, I think he really enjoyed the performance. Anyway, Bream was just a very young promising, extremely talented guitar-lute player that was showing off in front of that great man. As almost every young man would do.

[@metacosmos]

Julian Bream seems a kid in front of Superman. And his luthe is not the medieval luthe of 4 strings but a far more complex one .

[@codonauta]

The meeting happenned in a bad moment for J Bream. Stravinsky was focused in the speech which would start in some moments. Or it was a rehearsal?

[@MKFingerstyleAcademy]

who ever is complaining i challenge u make better decisions in bream's situation, AT that time. where opinions don't fly over u tube and facebook and msn, You want to say something you say it out loud

[@CMI2017]

If Robert Fripp had met Stravinsky and played him LTIA Pt2 Stravinsky would have hit him with a copyright injunction.

[@lawrencetendler2342]

JB : ' very happy to meet you maestro ,I always wanted to meet you very much" IS : " Quit bugging me man ,I have no time so take a hike buddy "

[@lawrencetendler2342]

Dear Julian Bream ,when a fellow tells you ,repeatedly ,that he has no time ,it is a nice way of saying GET OUT OF MY FACE .....ha ha ha

[@K-Viz]

Guess during that moment Julian Bream was just so giddy in the presence of Stravinsky.

[@magnocratbaker6719]

Great musicians may not be much better than the rest of us in all their other traits.

[@codonauta]

I think it exists, if you search very well. If not, he should to have played an acoustic guitar composition of the 20th century ( there are hundreds of them ), if the his Bream's purpose was to convince Stravinsky to compose for that instrument.

[@rawenpasha]

@rawrgDX thanks .preciate it

[@farzinnegahban2566]

An amazing record, I was also somewhat disappointed by Stravinsky's attitude, here we have Bream playing a piece, lachrimae (if I have not misspelt it) by Dowland but Stravinsky did not seem much interested or excited by it. Perhaps If he had played it for one like Ravel or Bartok who were not alive then he would have received more attention.

[@brianrhg]

I disagree, Stravinsky was caught up in work, and for one moment he enjoyed music. Now I realize I must work. Listen to Stravinsky's voice when he talks.

[@allan2098]

The timing was all wrong. Igor was in the process of preparing to conduct for a recording and all of a sudden, unexpectedly appears a strange fellow wanting to play a lute for him in that noisy environment. Many a composer would have stopped Bream initially and called for some security staff. Totally cringe worthy and I think Bream looked very uncomfortable as well. Should have been planned better.

[@eschelar]

allan2098 the recording was clearly planned though by someone other than igor and bream...

[@RiptornThrasher]

Allan Dunsmuir and he had to tune too! Thats embarrassing.

[@eschelar]

Riptorn Thrashers For a guitar, that's embarrassing. For a 20 string double-course lute probably set up with newish strings for performance, it's not really that surprising. If you've ever played a double or triple course instrument, you'll know that when those strings are new, *wow*, they can go out of tune fast... and when one of the strings in the course is even slightly off, it's clearly audible with the beating of the near-overlapping sine waves. Igor was familiar with this instrument, so he would not have seen this as a big deal. Not to mention, it's fucking Igor Stravinsky, what did he ever do that was even as important as Julian Bream putting jam on crumpets? Stravinsky was a self-important dildo. The classical music equivalent of the Fox News Network. Best thing that ever happened to him musically is to hear an awkward and slightly nervous Julian Bream play a brief snippet of music.

[@chipthequinn]

Y'know, this looks really gauche. But Bream did essentially this with Benjamin Britten, and they got "Nocturnal" out of it.

[@turquisestones]

So, Stravinsky nicely told him that he wasn't into listening to his playing, but Bream just imposed himself on Stravinsky :)

[@Artezoros]

@Sandortegon you are right but you cant expect stravinsky to compose for bream( like the childisch approach of bream by the way), however bream is a genius the lute is one of the hardest intsruments to play and segovia is afreak his face remains emotionless while playing.