Julian Bream & John Williams – Together (The Ultimate Collection)

Julian Bream & John Williams – Together (The Ultimate Collection)

A landmark collaboration between two of the most influential classical guitarists of the 20th century, this expansive collection showcases the artistry of Julian Bream and John Williams in a programme that spans centuries of music and a remarkable range of styles.

Across these performances, the duo explore a rich tapestry of repertoire - Baroque dances, Romantic Spanish masterpieces, and impressionistic miniatures - often in their own refined arrangements. Works by Albéniz, Granados, and Falla sit naturally alongside transcriptions of Debussy, Ravel, and Fauré, revealing how the guitar can capture orchestral colour, intimacy, and rhythmic vitality all at once.

The collaboration between Bream and Williams is defined by precision and musical dialogue rather than display. Their phrasing is closely matched, yet subtly individual, creating a sense of conversation that brings out the structural clarity and emotional nuance of each piece. Whether in the delicate textures of Clair de Lune, the rhythmic energy of Spanish dances, or the contrapuntal elegance of earlier works, the performances remain consistently poised and expressive.

This collection stands as both a celebration of the classical guitar duo repertoire and a testament to two musicians who expanded its possibilities.

Tracklist:

Disc 1
1–1 to 1–4 – Carulli: Serenade in A, Op. 96
1–5 – Granados: Rondella Arregonesa
1–6 – Albéniz: Bajo la palmera
1–7 – Granados: Zambra
1–8 – Giuliani: Variazioni Concertanti, Op. 130
1–9 – Albéniz: Evocación
1–10 – John Johnson: Pavan
1–11 – John Johnson: Galliard
1–12 to 1–17 – Telemann: Partie Polonaise
1–18 – Debussy: Rêverie
1–19 – Debussy: Golliwog’s Cakewalk
1–20 – Debussy: Clair de Lune

Disc 2
2–1 to 2–3 – Lawes: Suite for Two Guitars
2–4 to 2–5 – Carulli: Duo in G, Op. 34
2–6 to 2–8 – Sor: L’Encouragement, Op. 34
2–9 – Albéniz: Córdoba
2–10 – Granados: Goyescas: Intermezzo
2–11 – Falla: La Vida Breve (Spanish Dance No. 1)
2–12 – Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
2–13 to 2–18 – Fauré: Dolly Suite (arr. guitar)
2–19 – Granados: Oriental
2–20 – Albéniz: Castilla: Seguidillas