Background
Bream, Julian was born on July 15, 1933 in London, England. Son of Henry G. Bream.
Bream, Julian was born on July 15, 1933 in London, England. Son of Henry G. Bream.
Student, Royal College Music. Degree (honorary), University Surrey, England, 1968.
Professional career Cheltenham 1947, London debut, Wigmore Hall 1950. Tours in Europe, America, Japan, Australia, India and the Far East. Appeared at festivals at Aldeburgh, Bath, Edin burgh, Three Choirs, King's Lynn, Holland, Ansbach, Berlin, and Stratford (Canada).
Research into Elizabethan Lute music which led to revival of interest in that instrument. Has encouraged contemporary English.
First recital, 1947, London debut, 1950, United States debut, 1958. Formed Julian Bream Consort, 1960. Since performed tours in all 5 continents, regular tours to Europe and United States of America.Performed concerts, recitals, including with Sir Peter Pears, also chamber music, string quartets, duo with John Williams, Julian Bream Consort world tour with Robert Tear, 1988. Appeared in festivals and recitals: Aldeburgh, Berlin, Edinburgh, Bath, Paris, Vienna, Tokyo, New York, recital series at Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 1992-1993, 60th birthday concert at the Wigmore Hall, London, 1993. Transcriber Romantic and Baroque works.Commissioned new works from Benjamin Britten, William Walton, Hans Werner Henze, Malcolm Arnold, others. Frequent radio and television appearances including television biographical film, A Life in the Country, 1976, series of master classes, film of Elizabethan music and poetry with the late Dame Peggy Ashcroft, 1987, all for British Broadcasting Corporation. Producer, performer 8 films on location in Spain on development Spanish music for lute and guitar.Numerous recordings for Radio Corporation of America. Now under exclusive contract with Electric and Music Industries Classics. Recordings include Julian Bream Edition Volume 1-28, Highlights From the Julian Bream Edition, The Baroque Guitar, A Celebration of Andrés Segovia, Guitar Greatest Hits, La Guitarra Romantica, Impressions for Guitar, Popular Classics for Spanish Guitar, The Romantic Guitar, Julian & John/2.Subject of book public by Macdonald, 1982.
Served with British Army, 1952-1955.
Playing the guitar, cricket, table tennis, gardening, backgammon.
Married 1st Margaret Williamson.