Darko Petrinjak, born in Zagreb in Croatia, graduated in double-bass at the Zagreb Music Academy (class of Josip Novosel), and in guitar (Hector Quine) and lute (Robert Spencer) at the Royal Academy of Music in London. As a double-bass player he has given solo recitals, for several seasons played and toured with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and has been involved in various chamber music groups. As a lutenist he appeared in solo recitals, with singers, and with “The Elizabethan Consort”.
Most of his time, however, Darko Petrinjak devotes to the guitar, his main instrument. He has given solo guitar concerts in many European countries and has made many LP-s and CD-s – solo, in duos with violin, cello, flute and voice, and with string quartet. He has adjudicated at international guitar competitions and has given master-classes at guitar festivals. He has written many arrangements involving guitar, majority of which were recorded on discs or for the Croatian Radio. Some of the leading Croatian composers have written works for him, including four concertos, most of which he has recorded. He is the editor of several guitar editions including the collected songs with guitar accompaniment by the 19th century Croatian guitarist-composer Ivan Padovec.
In 1984, together with István Römer and Goran Listeš, he founded the Zagreb Guitar Trio. This ensemble, in which he plays both guitar and double-bass, has become the important part of his career. The Trio has recorded extensively, played in numerous European countries and inspired many composers to write for it.
Darko Petrinjak was for three years a Visiting Teacher at the Birmingham School of Music in England, and since 1982 has been teaching at the Academy of Music in Zagreb.
In 1990 Darko Petrinjak was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London. In his home country he has been given several awards and honours.