More than just guitar!

This is the first review I've ever written for Amazon, and this DVD prompted me to do it. I first rented this from netflix and have had it a few times now, usually for at least a week. After renting it for the third time, I decided to just buy a copy.

This DVD is more than simply a classical guitar video. It is an incredible DVD that delves into the heart and soul of Spain. Mr Breame is an incredible player who really gets into his music, actually jumping from his chair during one piece. His facial expressions while playing are priceless!

I've been to Spain a few times and love it there. This DVD captures the essence of Spain and Spanish guitar (even though it only dips briefly into the enigmatic world of Flamenco, which really is outside the scope of this film) with all of its pride and passion, history, chaos and serenity. Broken into seven or eight chapters (I can't remember exactly) it covers different periods of Spanish guitar music, covering the instrument, the players and composers. The chapter that covers the 20th century has a haunting bit on the Spanish Civil War.

The footage is dated (but hey, it gives an accurate portrayal of the time) and some of the mispronunciations made me chuckle, but the performances are incredible. The sound quality is very good and some of the recordings have become my favorite versions (Concierto de Aranjuez).

If you like Spanish guitar music, or Spain, get this and grab some anchovy stuffed olives and relax and enjoy!

[Friday, April 18, 2008]

Great and unique guitarra performance

Guitarra! A Musical Journey Through Spain this DVD is a graet performance by Julian Bream. I think everybody sees what one wants to see. I find this DVD unique, since you rarely see a great musician outside of a concert hall.
Despite criticism from some reviews about Bream's commentaries, I liked them a lot. Yes, sometimes he looks like a school boy answering a question in class. But I also see Julian as a down-to-earth and humble person, what I've never seen in his official performances (after viewing this DVD, I checked his page in Wikipedia and found supporting statement.). After all, the value of this movie is in the combination of the musical performance, original Spanish scenery, and the great musician and person.
Undoubtedly, all the musical pieces are the studio recording and there are some places where he's out of sync with the sound recording. However, seeing his fingers so close is like attending a private lesson with a great musician! Being an armature guitar player, I gained a lot from watching how he played.
Finally, scenery in the movie is quite nice, especially episodes in Granada, bull fighting, and flamenco dancing and singing.
I strongly recommend to buy this DVD.

[Friday, March 14, 2008]

I Love this DVD!

I've yet to see the "My Life in Music" DVD, but do really enjoy this one! Bream takes you through Spain via the late 1970s-80s and a musical history as well.

[Monday, March 03, 2008]

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