Customer Reviews

Guitarra! A Musical Journey Through Spain

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Definitely the best classical guitar video produced so far. Julian Bream is the best guitarist. No one produces tones and sound-colors like he does. The film makers of this video did an awesome job as well (the only annoying thing they did during this video was venture through the streets of Spain while the master played Sor's Grand Solo. What the [explitive deleted]were they thinking?) Bream blows the viewers mind as he performs Aguados Rondo in A minor (one of the hardest guitar pieces to perform.) He plays only Spanish compositions in this tape with lots of Albaniz and Granados. The combination of Breams superior technical ability and the film maker's tasteful footage continue to give me chill bumps everytime I watch it. Bream stopped touring. But for anyone wanting to get glimpse of the best performer of our time, this tape is it!!!

If you're a classical guitar music lover, you'll love it. If you're a music lover, or even a lover of art, you don't want to miss it.

Here we have an interesting history ( and the sad fate ) of the guitar, not only as told by Julian but also as observed by other renowned literary figures. It further takes us to a guitar manufacturer, showing us how some of the local Spanish guitarists would now play the instrument ( not just for flemingo music). It is doing so by giving us, in a subtle way, the full context of the relevant Spainish history and the development of art in the country...


Unlike J Williams' "The Seville Concert" where we have depictions after depictions of the monotonously static soloist, here we only have 1/3 of the time portraying the guitarist with the remaining 2/3 giving us the highlights of where the music was composed or first performed in Spain, and how their living was like, say, as depiected by Goya, the oil painter. Occasionally we even have interesting comparisons between the local modern living people with those appearing in the paintings!


Yes, I have seen "The Seville Concert" by Johan Williams filmed at Alcazar Palace; I have also seen "The Romantic Guitar" by E Fernandez accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra. Each one of them runs about an hour. But either as a music lover or as a classical guitar music lover (as a fan of Segovia), I couldn't finish either one of them in one go despite the fact that their production was done with the most modern equipment of the 90's. Yet, despite the fact that this DVD is 10 or 15 years older than the other two, one can easily finish this 3 hrs film in a breath offering him with the most intriguing music. Why? Far better production: better music, plus better photography, and with no less fabulous accoustics. A treasure indeed. And I recommend viewers to watch this DVD alongside with " Shadow & Light" featuring J Rodrigo the composer who wrote Concerto De Aranjuez (where Pepe Romero appeared).

Julian Bream is probably one of the best guitarists to come out of the 20th century. He proves it in this DVD which should be in every aspiring concert guitarist's music collection as a model on technique, color and style. Maestro Bream is a true genius on interpretation and sensitivity to the instrument. He also treats us to playing the vihuela, and gives us a brief history of the instrument with breathtaking scenes from the Spanish countryside in the background. If you've never had the privilege of hearing Bream perform in public, then please purchase this DVD as it is a pure treasure, and one that you will view over and over again.

This is a great documentary and showcase for the talent of Julian Bream . He proves himself a master at playing a number of different musical styles and has the advantage of visual settings that complement the music so well . The program is also an advertisement for Spain itself .

There is a separate narration which gives background on the composers and the country . Mr Bream also speaks about the above topics .

The main point to be made against the program is the average quality of the film used - I suppose seeing as it was made in 1985 one can't expect too much - the picture is very soft looking . The sound is not terribly great but it doesn't detract too much from the music .

Do not let these comments put you off purchasing the disc - it is after all over 3 hours of music .
I would highly recommend any classical guitar fans , or fans of travel documentaries , purchase this disc .

If you play classical guitar and enjoy Julian Bream's style, you must buy this DVD. It contains 210 minutes of Bream playing music from Milan to Rodrigo. Note, however that this video was created with the guitarist in mind, so non-guitarists might find it drawn out and dry... For guitarists, five stars is not enough..

First of all over 3 hours of carefully made video where a top artist shares his experince of his art with you is certainly good value if even if it is not your cup of tea. However if you have an interest in guitar you can't miss this dvd. If you are just generally interested then it is a blend of history and art focusing strongly on the developement of the guitar. Beautiful scenery and a look at peoples daily lives in Spain and the character of the towns and villages provide a uniquely enjoyable experience. Of course Julian Breams playing is amazing and very enjoyable as he plays in various atmospheric locations throughtout Spain. Says region 1 but my computer played it ok.

Being a classical guitar lover since my childhood, all I can say is that this musical video is a work of art. The tour thru the guitar history, combined with Julian Bream's magnificent and sensitive playing, makes this DVD one of the best Performing Arts DVDs I have, and without any doubt it's already one of my favorites. If You are a Classical Guitar Lover, You have to have it !!.

This video demonstrates why Julian Bream is so popular and well regarded. His sensitive playing is a joy to hear (and watch) and the video even has lighthearted moments like a fake two guitar duet (an exhilirating performance of Boccherini's famous Fandango) with his "twin" as partner.

The video follows the history of the guitar (and sister instruments such as the vihuela and Lute) repertoire in Spain with excellent commentary by Bream and filming at interesting Spanish locations that give a sense of the people both visually and musically. The guitar playing is magnificent. Highly recommended for all music fans (but the best video I have ever seen for guitar fans).

One would surely expect (and demand) live guitar sound in such a production? Instead however most of the playing scenes show JB in effect miming to a studio over-dub! You might as well turn the sound off and pop in one of his CD's.
Of course one will expect some roughness in a live setting (and indeed this is hilariously illustrated when he 'plays' Cadiz in a bumpy train carriage) but, for me at least, this adds to the experience.
If I had known the sound situation beforehand there is no way I would have bought this product.

The DVD, Guitarra, is a completely loaded package, complete with three Hours of Enjoyable and Incredible Classical Guitar Pieces, played by Julian Bream. I would recomend this DVD to anyone who loves the wonderful sounds of the Classical Guitar.