|
It was a night that no member of Planinski kvintet will ever forget. As a beautiful warm sunny day slowly faded to an equally warm evening, we knew then and there that we were experiencing something special. The stage was impressive, with great curtains swaying slowly in the warm breeze. Each member was quietly reflective in the hours leading up to our performance. This was certainly a long way to have come in the four short years we had been together.
By the time the concert was underway, we were all pre-occupied with great anticipation. On this night, we were the only foreign visitors in this special celebration of Slovenia's first 10 years as an independent nation. We were all wondering how we would be received by the audience. On this night, we would be performing two of our original pieces, both written by band members who were all Canadian-born of Slovenian heritage. As the number of bands ahead of us on the performance schedule quickly dwindled to one, we took our place on the ramp immediately backstage. As Ansembel Nagelj completed their final song we knew our ticket was up. A beautiful introduction was given and we stepped into the light. Click here to listen to our introduction (in Slovene)
|
"As
the sun set on Domžale, you could hear the sound checks, vocal warm-ups
and lyrical rehearsing of the starstudded backstage. Planinski Kvintet
was part of this most auspicious group of recording artists in Slovenia.
To name a few, Oto Pestner, Ansambel Nagelj, Alfi Nipič, Ansambel
Franc Mihelič, Ansambel Slapovi, Igor in Zlati Zvoki, the list goes
on and on, all gathered in honor of Slovenia's 10th Independence
Day. PK performed two of their original songs "Pogrešam Domovino"
and "Pesem Je Najlepsa Stvar", only to be rewarded by
an ovation so thunderous, it brought tears to their eyes. This three
hour sold-out concert, entitled "Tebi Slovenija", was
attended by nearly seven hundred people and was broadcasted live
on Radijo OgniŠče and their counterpart Štajerski Val from Celje."
The
concert was set in the beautiful hills outside of Domžale. This
seemed fitting, as it was precisely for this Slovenian landscape
that our ensemble was named. It was mid afternoon when we arrived
at the venue in our convoy of Opel Vectra station wagons. Although
we had all followed the same path, driving to Slovenia from Munich,
we had all trickled in at different times, forcing us to furnish
our own means of transportation. We did, however, all rent cars
from the same agency, of which it was apparent that vehicles were
purchased "fleet". We had been joking amonst ourselves
that we must look like the Canadian mafia whenever we followed each
other down the roads of Slovenia.
When
we arrived, the scene was already abuzz with technicians preparing
for the broadcast. A number of performers were also present for
their soundcheck, arriving according to schedule. Ansambel Slapovi
had just finished their own check, and we chatted with them briefly
before they were off. We ran quickly through our own soundcheck
and retired to the stands to watch some of the other bands do the
same. We were especially excited to see so many musicians that we
respect and admire. It was beginning to sink in how unlikely it
seemed that we should share company with this elite group.
The
audience was incredibly warm, and applauded often during our performance.
By the time we had completed our second song, we were on an emotional
high. We took a quick bow and headed backstage, passing Alfi Nipic
who was to follow us. He congratulated us with pats on the back
and a "Bravo, fantje!". We rushed down the ramp incredulous.
Out of the darkness, Max's wife Nada rushed up saying "Listen
to that.... they're still clapping!! That's for you guys! Go back
on!". We stood there in disbelief, too humbled to move. Finally
Franci Trstenjak (president of Radio Ognjisce and organizer of the
concert) arrived and told us to get back on stage. It was for real!
We quickly obliged. We took took a quick bow and blew kisses before
heading off once more. Perhaps it was due to the sentimality of
the selections we played, but nevertheless, this was quite an accomplishment
for our group amateur musicians. Not only were we blessed with the
opportunity to share the stage with these great performers, but
we were the only ensemble to receive a curtain call that evening.
Radio Ognjisce mentioned this fact in their annual retrospective
show at the end of the year.
By
the time the show came to a close, Planinski kvintet joined all
of the other performers on stage for a grand finale, singing praises
to Slovenija. We were savouring the moment. After the crowd began
to stream out, the performers gather for refreshments and a quick
bite to eat in a reception tent that had been set up on the grounds
backstage. This gave us yet another opportunity to mingle, and we
soon came to realize that not only were these great musicians, but
also great people as well. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly,
and made for a perfect close to an amazing evening. © 2001 - Planinski Kvintet.