Bream, Julian Alexander [key], 1933–2020, English guitarist and lutenist. Bream was first taught guitar by his father and studied piano and cello at the Royal College of Music. He made his debut at the age of 12, his London debut in 1951, and his New York debut in 1958. From 1960 to 1990 he led the the Julian Bream Consort, a pioneering period-instrument ensemble. An outstanding performer, Bream played an important role in reviving the lute as a solo concert instrument and in reviving the Renaissance lute music. He had a repertory ranging from Dowland to Henze, and many compositions were written expressly for him, e.g., Benjamin Britten's Nocturnal (1963). He retired in 2002.
See P. Balmer, dir., Julian Bream: My Life in Music (documentary, 2003).
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