The iconic guitarist Julian Bream commissioned music from a number of British composers with international reputations, thus creating a whole new repertoire of guitar music. He also played an important role in the revival of interest in the Elizabethan lute, his recitals bringing Early Music to a new audience. John Dowland’s beautiful Pavan is followed by Britten’s Nocturnal after John Dowland, written for Bream and one of the most significant guitar works of the 20th century. Cyril Scott’s Sonatina, overlooked for decades, is heard here in the premiere recording of Bream’s revised edition. Volume 1 can be heard on 8557040.

Graham Anthony Devine has been hailed for possessing ‘Fluency, beautiful tone, power, clarity, timing, phrasing, technical brilliance, a keen musical intelligence’ by Classical Guitar Magazine. Vol.1 of this series is available on 8557040, which was ‘Recommended with all possible enthusiasm’ by MusicWeb International. Classic FM added: ‘Graham Devine, who plays with great sensitivity, strikes me as an ideal artist to continue Bream’s musical legacy. On the evidence presented here, this young virtuoso has a very bright future indeed.’

The soloist has also recorded two volumes of Leo Brouwer’s guitar music for Naxos: ‘his musicianship is unimpeachable, his fleet technique is world-class, and his command of Brouwer’s idiom is complete’ (American Record Guide on Vol.3, 8554195), while his Guitar Music from Brazil album (8557295) was also lauded by the same publication: ‘Even the most unassuming popular tunes are ennobled by Graham Anthony Devine’s masterly playing.’