Ob šilcu slivovke – Oberkrainer Slivowitz (B. Prešeren) [Sheet music] [Tutorial video]

This is another of the most popular polkas by Alpski Kvintet (Alpenoberkrainer) from Slovenia, originally released around the 1970s with the legendary line up which featured Jože Burnik on accordion, Ivan Prešeren on trumpet, Vinko Sitar on clarinet, Jože Antonič on guitar, and Janez Per on baritone (who remains their baritone and bass player to this day). It’s often performed by Oberkrainer style quintets throughout the typical Alpine folk music regions (Slovenia, Austria, Bavaria, Northern Italy, Northern Croatia) where it remains a staple in the repertoire. It was written by Brane Prešeren, Ivan Prešeren’s brother, who also wrote other unique polkas for the group, including Morgensonne, Hansi Polka and Freizeit.

The Slovenian title means “With a shot of slivovitz” while the German title simply means “Slivovitz from Oberkrain”. Slivovitz (‘Slivovka’ in Slovenian, ‘Šljivovica’ in Croatian) is a plum spirit/brandy produced in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, which UNESCO recognizes Serbia as its geographic origin (‘sliva’ is a Slavic term for ‘plum’). Meanwhile “Oberkrain” refers to the Upper Carniola or “Gorenjska” region of Slovenia, where groups such as the Avsenik brothers ensemble and Alpski Kvintet originate from, and where the “Oberkrainer” style of Alpine folk music started (as well as where the Kransky sausage is said to have originated from).

Although this is regularly performed by quintets, and was originally recorded by a quintet, I hope you might enjoy being able to play it on accordion as a solo or trio, with my arrangement.