Rare Guitar Video: Julian Bream - Dowland and the Lute

[Gatltonian]

One can complain ad infinitum about Bream's inauthenticity. for my part, his energy, style and elegance transcend technical issues. He seems to me to respond intuitively to the music and to capture the spirit and essence in a way that is breathtaking. I love O'Dette, North, Smith,Heringman and Wadsworth, but Bream brings something to the music that is stylish and unique.

[Jalapablo]

The way he rolled that last chord....what else is there to say? Just perfect.

[NickGravestock]

the piece is captain digorie piper's galliard - the tune is if my complaints from the first book of ayres by john downalnd

[arseniyonline1234555]

what#s the name of this piece? i am not familiar with Dowland

[ceoram]

Maestro¡¡¡¡ Me hizo llorar de emoción. qué manera de interpretar. Nadie como usted.

[TheEdgarvarese12]

he gives lute its authentic sound 

[ninebreaker21]

@TheEdgarvarese12 Actually he played a high-tension lute not unlike the modern classical guitar, and he used guitar technique and fingernails. Period-correct performance would be nailless with a much lighter instrument, lower tension strings and different right hand technique. Listen to more historically-informed players such as Paul O'dette, Ronn McFarlane and Hopkinson Smith to hear the difference. Nevertheless, Bream coaxed a beautiful sound out of the instrument.

[rarellanbrasil]

Nobody plays lute like that anymore! I have all his Dowland records they are simply beautiful!

[Mad0racle]

strange, how when the world around me seems mystical and beautiful, this is the music I think of. nothing recent really...

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

I wish the owners of the RCA masters would reissue Maestro Bream's works from his golden age of lute performance... they went out of print some years ago, and are tough to find for a decent price, if they are available at all. Bream is one of the titans of classical guitar and lute - my choice as the best ever. Strange as it seems, when I listen to his renditions of Dowland and other early music, I feel transported back hundreds of years. What a genius!

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

It would be the fulfillment of a lifetime dream to see/hear Maestro Bream in person. Does he perform live anymore, or has he retired from it for the most part? If he is still performing live, is there a schedule of his upcoming concerts? I am prepard to travel to the U.K. to attend a performance (I reside in the USA). Last question: anyone know where to get a decent lute? I've played classical guitar, but via Bream, have discovered my passion is for lute. Replies/information very appreciated.

[Dose0fReality]

@JaJDoo Bream is a master musician. You are probably a jealous troll.

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

@Dose0fReality: Wrong, my post was genuine. Sorry if it upset your delicate sensibilities. Do try and grow up, will you?

[JaJDoo]

if anything, this a video is an example of how not to play the lute...

[GyveTurckee]

@JaJDoo You're not entirely wrong: he only employs his classical guitar technique and does not conform to the traditional lute technique. That doesn't mean its not beautiful music.

[GyveTurckee]

@JaJDoo You're not entirely wrong: he only employs his classical guitar technique and does not conform to the traditional lute technique. That doesn't mean it's not beautiful music.

[Mr98giuliano]

@JaJDoo an instrument (like a lute or a guitar or a violin) can be played how do you want. The technique is a secondary thing.

[fattytrain]

"one of his most bootaful songs" lol old english fail

[FRIDAY13TAURUS]

that is the same piece of music he played for Maestro Igor Stravinsky during their brief meeting...

[ivebeenthere1]

great share...thank you...most enjoyed :--)

[djlbmw1992]

very nice music 

[tonydmen1]

great

[Mr98giuliano]

0:35

[mlmpro1059]

Truely spell binding! Wonderful performance from one of the most talented and influential musicians of the day!

[emreglr]

what is the name of this song ?

[leorozas]

@emreglr Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard, P.19

[emreglr]

@leorozas big thnx :)

[zbaby82]

Man!

[MrSnorlax22]

How many strings?

[yclept9]

@MrSnorlax22 It varies. You can do it on a guitar by tuning the G string to F#.

Some strings are doubled here like a 12-string, and there are extra bass optional bass strings at handy pitches, but not essential to the music.

[pissballs]

This is talent. Deep and Divine.

[minotauresse]

he creates a spellbinding atmosphere

[guitaristdotcom]

@minotauresse He takes you there right away, doesn't he....

[guitargod6997]

Enchantingly beautiful. Bream is a superb musician.

[TheBobnalyd]

almost too beautiful for words

[Ajowerty]

watch the interviewer at the end of the piece!!!It's like he came bock to reality!!!

[Pakamen1]

I noticed that he doesh't use the "thumb under" method, which would seem to account for his louder than most other lutes that I've heard.

[vicvicbitter]

hmm. Junian never disappoints, there is not a single stringed instrument he isn't a virtuoso at.

[recessionlover]

Camera moved in close on a portrait of Robert Cecil. Maybe he was paying the salary of that pirate.

[intelectualdark]

Fantàstico, grandioso, gracias

Maestro Bream

[functoravatar]

Well, I guess he can't just cut his nails every time he wants to play the flute...

[kelborgui]

Great Bream!!!

[retsmah24]

im going to be captain digary pipard for halloween and go around playing a lute. Ha!

[nivalen]

Bream is one of the lute "re-renaissance" pioneers in XXth century, but it's curious how he's still using guitar right-hand technique (playing with nails and no pinky on the soundboard)... Anyway, nice performance!

[robicool]

yea, he's holding it just like a guitar awell lol, sounds beautiful

[luteguitar]

I think because he played a guitar in a lute shape than a real lute, you know metal frets, a bridge like a guitar etc...

And he play renaissance music on a baroque lute that is quite funny .

[GinoTheSinner]

he knows so much and plays so good. incredible

[MarkAntony]

Wow this is a rare video indeed! A very young looking Tim Rice interviewing...

[maximus83iq]

wow this instrument looks like OOD (ood is an oriental instrument) but with much strings. wooow Thank you

[ericmhanks]

Oud. And it's an Arabic instrument. It's the main precursor to the lute. They are almost identical instruments, but the lute is fretted, whereas the oud is not.