Oxana & La Banda

The new project of superb violinist Oksana Pečeny Dolenc brings together five professional musicians active on the Slovenian music scene. They hit upon the name Oxana & La Banda.

Oksana began her musical career as a child prodigy in her native Kiev. The daughter of two excellent musicians, at an early age she demonstrated remarkable talent as well as a love for music and the violin, so she was enrolled in a special school for the talented. Consequently, she spent more of her childhood playing the violin than with dolls. Upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Oksana was only eight years old, she came to Slovenia (Maribor) with her family and soon became a local attraction. There followed a number of top prizes in national and international competitions, as well as solo performances with orchestras in Slovenia and abroad. Today, Oksana is the concertmaster of the Slovene National Theatre Maribor Orchestra. But all of this was not enough for Oksana’s restless spirit, so in 2005 she formed the group Astorpia, with which she explored other genres besides classical music, which, of course, remains her first love. Oksana seeks new ventures and musical challenges. Together with friends, she is embarking on a new project that is in some ways a continuation of Astorpia, but with a new flavour or concept. Oksana looks for inspiration in the classics, in her roots, in Sarasate and other greats of the violin, but also beyond classical music and the tango. Sometimes in Gypsy abandon, sometimes in the fantasy of well-known tunes, sometimes in an unfamiliar area of new creativity, but always fresh, in a different way. We ​​cannot always do what we want in life, but in music we are free, we can be anything, and that is our intention.

Oksana has invited renowned musicians to collaborate. Pianist Jan Sever is active in a number of groups and works as a teacher at the Ljubljana Conservatory. Accordionist Andraž Frece is completing his studies at the Ljubljana Academy of Music and is a recipient of this year’s Student Prešeren Prize. Double bass player Žiga Trilar is active in chamber music performance and is the deputy principal double bass of the Slovene National Theatre Maribor Orchestra. Guitarist Matic Dolenc is completing his studies at the Ljubljana Academy of Music and has performed in a duo with Oksana for many years. He also teaches at the Velenje Music School. The new group has successfully presented a full-length concert in Austria, where it was rewarded with a standing ovation. Their varied repertoire includes the tango and folk music (Gypsy, Romanian and Hungarian music).

 

Oksana Pečeny Dolenc, violin

Andraž Frce, accordion

Matic Dolenc, guitar

Jan Sever, piano

Žiga Trilar, double bass

 

Organiser of the concert: Imago Sloveniae