Unconventional classical guitar master
by Ward Jacobson, Minnesota Public RadioSt. Paul, Minn. — Watching classical guitarist Paul Galbraith play can be a surprise for someone who has never seen him perform.
He holds the instrument like a cello with a supporting metal endpin resting on a wooden resonance box.
His guitar is equally unconventional. Instead of the usual six strings, it has two extra strings: one lower and one higher. Galbraith says this specially designed guitar, and his unusual way of playing it, is ideal for tackling challenging transcriptions of Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Brahms, Debussy and Ravel.
Galbraith was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has lived in Brazil for the past decade.
He is in Minnesota for a Tuesday night recital in Duluth at the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
The guitarist stopped by Minnesota Public Radio's Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio for a conversation with host Ward Jacobson. He played a Mozart transcription and "Theme and Variations" by Lennox Berkley.
Ward Jacobson
• Host, Classical MusicWard Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted up both local and national authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers.
