Julian Bream
(1933-2020), Guitarist and lutenistSitter in 5 portraits
Classical guitarist and lutenist; Bream made his debut in London in 1950. His mastery of the classical guitar and renaissance lute did much to revive interest in the instruments. After completing his national service he began to give recitals of Elizabethan music with Pears, and Britten wrote several pieces of music specifically with Bream in mind. These included: Songs from the Chinese, for tenor and guitar (1957), with words from Arthur Waley's collection of translations, and Nocturnal after John Dowland (1963), one of the most famous pieces in the classical guitar repertoire, which he first performed at the 1964 Aldeburgh Festival. Walton and Rawsthorne also composed works especially for him.
by Michael Taylor
oil on canvas, 1984
NPG 5747
by John Gay
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1950s?
NPG x127334
by Lotte Meitner-Graf
gelatin silver print, circa 1960
NPG x15240
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