Guitar performances by Tom Chalko
Coal Creek Festival, Korrumburra, Sunday 29 November 2pm and 5 pm.

Coal Creek Festival Korrumburra

Tom will play two 15-minute segments one at 2pm and another at 5pm. The program (subject to change) is dedicated to love and peace on Earth.

Somnium Pace by Tom Chalko. The Latin title translates as Dream of Peace, reminding us that peace is the only sensible choice for human society. The composition unfolds as a dialogue between two contrasting musical motifs: one dark, fatalistic, and overpowering; the other gentle, tender, and lyrical. Composed in 2018, Somnium Pace received its world premiere at the 2019 Melbourne Guitar Festival, where it was performed by Australian guitarist Dr Harold Gretton.

What Words cannot Say by Tom Chalko. Music can express feelings that are difficult to express in words. This piece was a birthday present for his granddaughter to inspire her to study music.

Spanish Romance, very famous and much loved Spanish folk song, likely known before ~1800 during life of Fernando Sor (Spain 1778-1839), is sometimes referred to as a “Sor melody”. Sor did not claim to compose the melody, but it is likely that he played it on guitar. Today the Spanish Romance ranks among the most popular music played on guitar.

Cantilena on the D String by Tom Chalko, also known as Prelude No. 7, was published in 2015 as part of his cycle of 9 Preludes. The word cantilena, used in many languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.), means “a song.” In Tom’s composition, the melody is played on the guitar’s fourth string (the D string), while the other strings provide the accompaniment.

Variations on Tarrega theme. Music of Francisco Tárrega (Spain 1852-1909) inspired Tom to compose and perform variations on the theme of one of his studies.

La Paloma (1863), by Sebastián Iradier (Spain, 1809–1865), is one of the world's most beloved melodies, admired for its lyrical beauty and its haunting Cuban habanera rhythm. Originally composed for voice and piano, it has inspired more than 1,000 arrangements and recordings, making it one of the most frequently recorded songs in history.

The title La Paloma means "The Dove." Across cultures, the dove is recognised as a universal symbol of peace, hope, and unity. May La Paloma carry our shared wish for a world where love overcomes fear, peace overcomes conflict, and every heart becomes a messenger of peace.

In Tom's arrangement, the expressive voice of the guitar enhances the music's warmth and lyrical beauty, inviting listeners to experience the timeless charm of La Paloma through its captivating blend of Cuban habanera rhythm and Spanish guitar romance.

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If you want to organize a concert or host a private guitar concert at your home or school please contact Tom .

Explore Tom's past concerts and video recordings of Tom playing some of his compositions.

Beginning of Tom's composition "Somnium Pace" (Dream of Peace).
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