# R.I.P. Julian Bream **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [August 15, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212 "2020-08-15T21:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212/1 "2020-08-15T21:55:20Z")
Classical guitarist and lutenist Julian Bream has died at the age of 87: > **[Julian Bream obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/aug/14/julian-bream-obituary)** > > Classical guitarist who as a performer and developer of its repertory was a towering figure in the history of the instrument I grew up listening to classical guitar (my dad loved it), and Julian Bream was one of my favorites. His playing was always dynamic and sensitive at the same time. He had a huge repertoire, including pieces that contemporary composers such as Benjamin Britten and Richard Rodney Bennett. He wanted to make the lute as popular as the guitar, and while he wasn’t really successful at this, he did create some truly beautiful lute recordings. Thank you, Julian. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212/2 "2020-08-16T10:28:12Z")
One of the all-time great guitarists and lutenists. I continue to enjoy some of his many recordings. RIP, Mr. Bream. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2020, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212/3 "2020-08-19T04:59:12Z")
A playlist of English Songs performed by Peter Pears, accompanied by Bream on lute (Britten on piano) [It Was a Lover and His Lass - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljt9Oe1CahE&list=OLAK5uy_lr_EV04Qq0geN4IJWhDfYjkV_C4dHPkPo&index=4) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212/4 "2020-08-19T05:11:46Z")
I met him once, in 1970. I lived in [Risley Residential College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risley_Residential_College) at Cornell, a dorm for students with interests in the arts. When musicians came to give concerts at the college, they would be invited to dine there an spend the night in the guest suite. According to [Cornell Reports (p. 7)](https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/24481/crep_005_02.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y), he spent half the night “rapping” with the students. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2020, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-julian-bream/918212/5 "2020-08-19T07:42:33Z")
So sorry to hear this. A friend introduced me to Bream’s music in 1983 (a cassette of him playing John Dowland) and since then I’ve enjoyed many hours of listening. Here’s his performance of a Vivaldi lute concerto; the sound quality isn’t great but he’s still impressive [JULIAN BREAM PLAYS VIVALDI'S LUTE CONCERTO IN D - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyY5pB2a0cU) And Sevilla by Albeniz [Julian Bream | Sevilla | Isaac Albéniz - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZgZJrJmdk) Dowland [Julian Bream - Semper Dowland Semper Dolens by John Dowland - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TelfMd5NNqw&list=RDTelfMd5NNqw&start_radio=1)