Reviews

Just as stellar of a performer is Piotr Zielinski, another native of Poland who also studied with Manuel Barrueco at Peabody. Zielinski, a current member of the Aurora Guitar Quartet, demonstrated considerable professionalism and ease. His style with Bach Sonata was low key and unassuming, but his technical clarity and musicality on the Fuga and Presto made it clear he is a player of remarkable talent and the there was no question of this after his performance of Barrios' La Catedral. Zielinski's rendition of the Ginastera Sonata for Guitar, Op. 47 is the best I have heard in recent years.

Julia Crowe, Classical Guitar Magazine (UK)

Piotr Zielinski, Polish guitarist, began his recital at the intimate Christ and St. Stephen's Church with a most appropriate Bach Sonata No.1 in G Minor, BWV 1001. [...] Zielinski was one with Bach, providing tiny hills and valleys of phrasing and dynamics, and making sure to deliver delineated counterpoint.
In Augustin Barrios Mangore's "La Catedral" - a work inspired by the cathedral in San Salvador, the city where Barrios lived during the Second World War - Zielinski  brought a solemnity in Andante Religioso that was tailor-made for this church setting. In "Pieces Caracteristiques" by Frederico Moreno Torroba - a Spaniard who composed many works for the stage but is best known for his guitar compositions-Zielinski played with a lovely dreaminess in the Preambule and with a contrasting jovial spirit in the Oliveras movement.[...] Melodia, the third movement in the tremolo style was played with effortless grace.
In Alberto  Ginastera's  Sonata for guitar, Op. 47-  a work that has unique percussive effects-Zielinski provided his biggest sound yet: resonant, with effective tapping and strumming over the fingerboard and effective slides. The second movement was a particular standout, with technically impressive playing.

Anthony Aibel, New York Concert Review 

Second part ending the [Pulawy International Guitar Festival] was a recital by master guitarist Piotr Zielinski. The title of the concert very well represented what happened that evening. Beautiful tone, precision, masterful control of the instrument, that's how Piotr Zielinski played.

 Lukasz Figiel, Swiat Gitary (World of Guitar Magazine), Poland

The Prince.

A commanding stage presence, Piotr possesses all the right tools. Skillfully interpreting a variety of old and new styles of guitar pieces, he displayed particularly outstanding playing on Mangoré Allegro and the Rodrigo Invocation et Danse. His interpretation of Bach’s Chaconne is equally noteworthy. You can play Bach for me anytime.

A well balanced presentation, He left us wanting more.

 Bill Dykes, Washington Guitar Society Newsletter

 

The Aurora Guitar Quartet gave a charming performance of Mozart's overtures to "The Marriage of Figaro"  and "The Magic Flute" at Westmoreland Church on Saturday, drawing out the scintillating color and contrapuntal play of voices in the music.

Bizet's "Carmen" Suite suited the quartet even more handily, its Spanish-inspired material  well paired with instruments of centuries-old Spanish pedigree. The arrangement [...] drew considerable  allure from flamenco strumming and castanet like percussion created by fingernails on the guitar's sounding boards.

More recent Latin music by Cuban-born Leo Brouwer, Brazilians Sergio Assad and Paulo Bellinati, Los Angeles-based Carlos Rafael Rivera and Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla provided a kaleidoscopic range of timbres and polyrhythmic evocations of dance.

 Joe Banno, Washington Post