Classical guitarist Galbraith to perform in Hilo

Watching renowned classical guitarist Paul Galbraith play will surprise anyone who has never seen him perform. Galbraith holds his guitar like a cello, with a supporting metal endpin resting on a wooden resonance box.

The guitar itself is also 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 are ideal for performing transcriptions of works by composers that were not written for guitar, as well as revealing greater depth in works that were composed for conventional guitar.

On Tuesday, Sept. 30, a Hilo audience will hear Galbraith and his unique guitar in concert at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center as the second presentation of the Hawaii Concert Society’s