Photo: Family Avsenik
The brothers Slavko and Vilko Avsenik invented the Oberkrainer style in 1953, sold more than 36 million records with their “Original Oberkrainer” and thus entered the musical history books. 70 years later, the music is still celebrated, which makes grandson Saso happy, who is on an anniversary tour with his Oberkrainer and also brings “family music” to the people in Linz.
If you ask the 31-year-old, who has been on the road musically with his Oberkrainer in Grandpa Slavko’s “duty” since 2009, why the Oberkrainer sound has never fallen out of time, he answers quickly. “The sound is special, diverse, nostalgic, suitable for dancing and listening, but above all it connects people. This music seeks no argument.”
Saso Avsenik doesn’t have to bend for it either, as he says in the OÖN conversation. “When I’m on stage and playing my grandfather’s music, I’m very proud of him. He created a new sound and wrote a thousand compositions with his brother. We had a very nice time with him at home and I remember a great person.”
This music is honest. If he didn’t practice, he wouldn’t enjoy it because he played badly, says Saso. “I give away a lot of energy, but I get a lot of energy back from the audience.” Despite all the tradition, the wheel must of course keep turning without distorting the typical sound. The anniversary program will include the greatest hits. “We have a lot of people in the audience who grew up with the music. But it’s not a touring museum. We want to show that the story goes on with us boys and is cared for.”
The young people dance to it too
Especially in his home country of Slovenia, Saso Avsenik feels that many young people are finding their way into Oberkrainer music. People dance to Avsenik songs like “Hello Little Mouse” on the dance floor, where the Oberkrainer sound is paired with pop music. According to the musician, the fascination for it starts in the families. “I get a lot of videos of little kids dancing to our music, holding the accordion and playing. You take a lot from home, then you take it to school where other influences come in. Only the good stuff lasts. “
The head of the “young Oberkrainer movement” definitely wants to live up to this image of playing the music live at its best. “My wife would say that Oberkrainer music is in my head every day.” You have to know the entire history of music in order to bring it credibly to the people. Avsenik uses this “world language”, as he calls the sound, to bring it to the people on all channels in the best possible way.
In view of the large offer one must be careful not to be left behind. “If you stop where you are, you’re already a step or two behind.” Seen in this way, every piece is a new experience.
Concert: Saso Avsenik & his Oberkrainer “70 Years Oberkrainer Sound”, April 21, 8 p.m., Brucknerhaus Linz
Source: Nachrichten
