8th March 2009
The Julian Bream Collection
Julian Bream, the world revered
classical guitarist, has donated his personal art collection to the
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This extraordinary glimpse
into the private thoughts and life of such a celebrated musician
can be viewed at the Weston Gallery at RWCMD.
The collection comprises works personal to the musician such as
a portrait of Bream by Derek Hill and one of his favourite dog,
Casper by Jill Tweed. A number of paintings are by some of the most
prolific Scottish artists of the 19th and
20th Centuries such as William McTaggart and David
Gauld. Other featured artists include Sydney Nolan, Walter Richard
Sickert, Elizabeth Frink and Bream’s own brother, Anthony Bream.
The paintings are predominantly landscapes from the beginning of
the impressionistic period, and portray a serenity typical of this
style.
The Exhibition Launch on 6th March 2009 was well
attended by friends and supporters. Hilary Boulding, Principal of
RWCMD, welcomed the guests, “It has completely transformed one of
our many recital rooms… It is wonderful, an extraordinary and
generous gift.” Her words echoed everyone’s thoughts,
particularly those who had admired the great guitarist for years.
“Julian Bream is perhaps the most celebrated guitarist alive. He is
a living legend… It is a superb gesture. We are truly honoured.”
said John Mills, Head of Guitar Studies at RWCMD. Julian Bream
seemed very happy and addressed the audience, “They do look
pretty good if you don’t mind me saying... They are good friends,
these paintings. I’m glad they’re here and I’m terribly
moved.”
The decision to donate the collections to RWCMD was made around
three years ago when Bream visited the College and “saw some very
nice walls that were not adorned with anything.” The College
commissioned the restoration of the paintings and, with the help of
Peter Goodridge of the National Museum of Wales, they were
professionally hung and lit in the Weston Gallery of the Anthony
Hopkins Building.
The reaction to the exhibition has been one of uncompromised
delight and gratitude. The art brings a new visual aspect to the
many musical performances that take place in the Weston Gallery and
it has even been suggested that the paintings may have improved the
acoustics of the room.
Julian Bream was born in 1933. During the war he was evacuated
to a “wild farm” in Shropshire where he fell in love with country
life. On his eleventh birthday he was given a classical guitar by
his father, and, at the age of thirteen, made his debut recital to
much acclaim. Bream went on to become internationally renowned,
working with the likes of Andrés Segovia, John Williams and
Benjamin Britten.
Julian Bream comments on the collection,
“… they have a stillness, they are reflective. I suppose this is
part of my temperament as a musician, I am reflective… They have
been in my home for years and now they have a new home which
pleases me no end.”
Julian Bream, Hilary
Boulding (Principal) and John Mills (Head of Guitar Studies).