Robert Zielinski – Kiangardarup (self-released, 2024)
Kiangardarup, a mesmerizing album by Robert Zielinski, is an hour-long suite for violin, wooden flute, cello, and bouzouki. The title, Kiangardarup, derives from an indigenous Minang name for the Torbay Inlet region in Western Australia’s Great Southern area. This deeply personal composition, born of craft and nature, embodies Zielinski’s connection to the landscape he once called home.
While living in Torbay, Zielinski not only developed his skill as a violin maker but also composed this evocative, graceful piece. Inspired by the oral tradition of Irish music, which he learned by ear, Zielinski created the suite over six years, foregoing written scores. Each movement reflects a day in Torbay, from dawn to nightfall, under the Karri forests and stars, culminating in the warmth of a campfire. Notably, Zielinski used a violin he built himself.
The recording process was as intricate as the music itself. Zielinski captured his violin parts outdoors over two years, braving the elements to record in serene moments of low wind surrounded by natural sounds like rain and wildlife. The remaining instruments, played by Melinda Forsythe (cello), Manuela Centanni (wooden flute), and Jim Green (bouzouki), were later added at Crank Recording studio in Perth under the guidance of producer Lee Buddle.
Zielinski’s musical career began in Karragullen, Western Australia, where his Polish grandfather introduced him to the violin at age seven. His early mentorship came from Irish musicians Eddie Lowe and Sean Doherty, who welcomed him into Perth’s Irish music community. His most enduring influence was Mick Doherty, a Donegal fiddler and storyteller, with whom Zielinski developed a profound friendship and recorded the seminal album Out West in 2012, preserving Doherty’s family tradition.
At 17, Zielinski moved to Ireland, immersing himself in the East Clare music scene, where he learned from masters like PJ Hayes and Martin Hayes. He spent 14 years on Ireland’s west coast, studying under South Sligo fiddler Andrew Davey and teaching at the Galway School of Traditional Irish Music. In 2000, he won the Michael Coleman Fiddle Player of the Year Award, solidifying his place in traditional Irish music.
An injury in his early thirties forced Zielinski to return to Australia. With Mick Doherty’s encouragement, he resumed playing and ventured further into the Doherty repertoire, preserving complex reels and airs. Zielinski’s efforts culminated in The Day Dawn (2024), a compilation of 25 years of recordings, earning him recognition as a finalist at the 2024 Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMA) Awards.
Zielinski’s return to Torbay marked a creative turning point. In this remote, pristine setting, he combined his mastery of traditional Irish music with his passion for composition and violin-making, resulting in Kiangardarup.
Today, Zielinski continues to perform internationally, combining his traditional Irish roots with original compositions. With Kiangardarup, he offers listeners a rare and immersive experience, a tribute to the symbiosis of music, craft, and the natural world.
Buy Kiangardarup.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.