Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Dakko Petrinjak is a renowned classical guitarist from Croatia, known for his virtuosic performances and innovative interpretations of classical guitar repertoire. Born on December 22, 1961, in Zagreb, Croatia, Petrinjak showed an early interest in music and began playing the guitar at the age of six. He received his formal music education at the Zagreb Academy of Music, where he studied under the guidance of the renowned Croatian guitarist, Ante Cagalj. Petrinjak's talent and dedication to the guitar were evident from an early age, and he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young guitarists in Croatia. He won his first major competition, the National Guitar Competition in Zagreb, at the age of 14, and went on to win numerous other competitions throughout his teenage years. In 1980, Petrinjak was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Spain, where he studied under the legendary Spanish guitarist, Andres Segovia. Segovia was impressed by Petrinjak's talent and dedication, and took him under his wing, mentoring him and helping him to refine his technique and musical interpretation. Petrinjak's time in Spain was a formative period in his career, and he emerged from his studies with a deep understanding of the Spanish guitar tradition and a refined technique that would serve him well throughout his career. He returned to Croatia in 1984, and quickly established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the country. Over the course of his career, Petrinjak has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, earning critical acclaim for his virtuosic performances and innovative interpretations of classical guitar repertoire. He has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic, and has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including the pianist Martha Argerich and the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Petrinjak's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Spanish and Latin American composers, including Isaac Albeniz, Manuel de Falla, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. In addition to his performing career, Petrinjak is also a respected teacher and mentor, and has taught at the Zagreb Academy of Music since 1990. He has also given masterclasses and workshops throughout the world, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring guitarists. Throughout his career, Petrinjak has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of classical guitar. In 1990, he was awarded the Vladimir Nazor Award, one of the highest honors in Croatian culture, for his contributions to music. He has also been awarded the Order of Danica Hrvatska, one of the highest honors in Croatia, for his contributions to culture and the arts. Petrinjak's recordings have also received critical acclaim, and he has released numerous albums on the Naxos, EMI, and Deutsche Grammophon labels. His recording of the complete works of Isaac Albeniz, released on Naxos in 2003, was particularly well-received, and was named one of the best classical recordings of the year by numerous publications.

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