The unmistakable sound of Oberkrainer music filled Stožice Arena in Ljubljana as the Sašo Avsenik Ensemble performed its first concert at Slovenia’s largest indoor venue, bringing a capacity crowd to its feet. The concert marked a milestone for the third generation of the Avsenik musical dynasty, more than 70 years after the style was created by the legendary Avsenik Brothers.
Founded in 2008 by Sašo Avsenik, grandson of composer Slavko Avsenik, the ensemble was joined on stage by Sašo’s father Gregor, his sister Monika, other guest musicians, a mixed choir and orchestra, as well as a children’s choir.
The audience enthusiastically joined in during Slovenia, Where Do Your Splendours Come From, a 1974 song often regarded as an unofficial Slovenian anthem, while singer Luka Sešek added humour to the evening with a playful performance as the curious astronaut Franc.
Among the highlights were Na Golici, considered the most played instrumental tune in the world, and Planica, Planica, a song closely associated with Slovenian ski jumping. The concert also featured intimate moments, including an unamplified performance of Pastirček played among the audience, before closing with a lively encore and a promise from the ensemble to return to Stožice Arena next year.
