Julian Bream Ultimate Collection Vol. 2

Read About This Recording

Of all of the great guitarists of the 20th century, there is no one who is more admired than Julian Bream. The only great guitarist of his generation to have from the beginning taken an independent path from the master, Andres Segovia, Bream has had a tremendous influence and, arguably, as great an influence on the success of the instrument as Segovia.

As a child prodigy, Bream was complimented on his prowess by Segovia, but rather than study with him, Bream went his own way and delved into the great treasures of English music. His recordings of the beautiful lute music of England including, most importantly, John Dowland, opened a whole new area for guitarists to explore the great musical tradition of the guitar and lute. His style is best characterized by saying it has a very beautiful and warm sound. Bream has the ability to pull you into his performances, unlike any other guitarist. On these recordings the full gamut of the most popular works for guitar are performed by Mr. Bream, and his unique approach to all of these works makes these recordings essential listening.

If one listens the great works on these recordings and compares it to Segovia or John Williams, the interpretations are so different, but so equally wonderful, it is impossible to choose one over the other, and if you have not heard Bream yet, you will not be disappointed.

-Isaac Mere

Quotes

A giant of twentieth-century guitar music. -All-Music Guide

Contents

Moreno Torroba: Allegretto from Sonatina; Francisco Tarrega: Capricho arabe; John Dowland: A Fancy; Villa-Lobos: Etude No. 5 in C; Prelude No. 3 in A Minor; Joaquin Turina: Sevillana, Op. 29; Lennox Berkeley: Allegretto from Sonatina, Op. 52, No. 1; Handel: Allegro from Concerto in B-Flat for 2 Lutes, Strings and Recorders; William Byrd: The Woods So Wild; Luigi Boccherini: Fandango; Albert Roussel: Segovia, Op. 29; Luis de Milan: Fantasia No. 22; Antonio Vivaldi: Allegro from Concerto for 2 Lutes, RV532; Federico Mompou: Suite Compostellana, Preludio; Fernando Sor: Andantino Grazioso from Sonata in C Minor, Op. 25; Alonso Mudarra: Fantasia; J.S. Bach: Bouree from Lute Suite No. 1, BWV996; Gigue from Lute Suite No. 2, BWV997; Dionysio Aguado: Polonaise, Op. 2, No. 2; Joaquin Rodrigo: Canario from Fantasia para un gentilhombre.

Julian Bream, Guitar, Lute; The Monteverdi Orchestra, RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra; John Eliot Gardiner, Leo Brouwer, Conductors.