Julian Bream is celebrated as one of the world's leading classical guitarists. He is featured in this series of eight half-hour films, shot entirely on location in Spain, playing some of the finest pieces in the repertoire of the Spanish guitar. The programmes trace the evolution of the Spanish guitar over five centuries, from 1500 to the present day. Together, its music and history paint a rich portrait of Spain and her people.

Julian Bream plays in some of Spain's most magnificent old buildings and beautiful landscapes, evoking through his performances the culture, history and society that has given birth to the music. Seville, Toledo, Madrid, Aranjuez, Barcelona, Granada, Ronda, Cordoba, the Pyrenees – these and other locations form a vivid backdrop to Bream's playing. The music demonstrates the unique, uninterrupted traditions of the genre over 500 years and includes, among others, compositions by Albéniz, Granados, de Falla, Tarrega and Rodrigo. For this series, Julian Bream asked the outstanding Spanish guitar-maker, his friend and colleague José Romanillos to make him a vihuela and a Baroque Spanish guitar.