Begnagrad

Begnagrad

Company type	Music group
Industry	Music
Founded	1976 in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia
Defunct	1984
Headquarters	Ljubljana , Yugoslavia (now Slovenia)
Products	Music albums

Begnagrad—a name derived from the phrase Beg na grad meaning Escape to the Castle—was an avant-garde and progressive rock ensemble originating in Ljubljana in 1976 within the Yugoslav music landscape. They emerged as a significant presence in the Yugoslav rock milieu during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The group swiftly attracted attention through their innovative instrumental pieces that fused elements of rock, jazz, and folk traditions. Their inaugural self-titled album appeared in 1982, preceding their dissolution two years later. Following the breakup, former members issued two additional records: Jodlovska Urška (1990), which showcased material recorded in 1977 initially intended as their debut, and Tastare (Theoldwones) (1992), consisting of studio and live tracks from 1976 to 1977.

1976–1984

Begnagrad's origins trace back to Šest Kilometara Na Uro, a band based in Ljubljana active during the early 1970s. Established in 1976, the core lineup comprised Bratko Bibič on accordion, Bogo Pečnikar playing clarinet, Vlado Špindler handling bass, and Igor Muševič on drums. Guitarists Bojan Zidarić, Igor Leonardi, and Boris Romih contributed intermittently. Their distinctive avant-garde approach melded free jazz, swing rhythms, traditional folk motifs, and pop influences. They gained acclaim for compositions such as "Kranjska Gora blues nazaj," "Jara kača," "Begnagrad," and "Rimish Boro," the latter incorporating a motif from the traditional Serbian dance "Žikino kolo."

In 1977, after performing at the Youth Festival in Subotica, they recorded sessions at Radio Novi Sad under producer Anđelko Maletić; these recordings were planned for their debut album but remained unreleased at that time. That same year saw them perform at Belgrade's Students' Cultural Center alongside bands Buldožer and Pankrti, while frequently collaborating with singer-songwriter Andrej Trobentar. Their live shows often included elements of cabaret and appearances at Ljubljana kafanas during Slovenian festivities. In 1978, Špindler departed for mandatory military service, leading to a temporary suspension of activities.

The band reassembled in the early 1980s with changes in personnel and musical direction. The 1982 debut featured Bibič, Pečnikar, Romih, Nino de Gleria on bass, and Aleš Rendla covering drums and violin. Compositions were primarily by Bibič and Romih. Between 1983 and 1984, they toured predominantly across Western Europe before disbanding in 1984.

Post breakup

Following Begnagrad's dissolution, Nino de Gleria, Aleš Rendla, and Igor Leonardi—each graduates of the jazz department at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz—formed Quatebriga, an alternative jazz ensemble joined by Milko Lazar (soprano saxophone), Dejvid Džar (trumpet), and Matjaž Albreht (saxophone, flute). Quatebriga released four albums: Revolution in the Zoo (1985), The Choice of the New Generation (1987), Vol. 1 (1995), and Post Mortem Dump (1997).

During the early 1990s, Leonardi was active within jazz circles in New York and New Orleans, collaborating with trumpeter Don Cherry. In 1997 he established Fake Orchestra, which produced studio albums Fake World (2004) and Made in China (2009), along with a live recording titled Fake Life (2002). The lineup included De Gleria, Rendla, Jelena Ždrale (violin), Blaž Ceralec (percussion), Primož Fleischman (saxophone, flute), as well as vocalists Ana Vipotnik and Janja Majzelj. Leonardi also composed for theatre and film projects while releasing solo works such as Rezervni deli (Spare Parts, 2003) and Sangeeta (2006).

Branko Bibič pursued an international career performing with various ensembles. He collaborated with Swiss group Nimal on albums Voix de Surface (1990/1991) and Dis-Tanz (1992). With The Madleys—which included Pečnikar, Shirley Hofmann (trombone), and Matjaž Sekne (viola, violin)—he released Of Bridko Bebič (1995), highlighting his accordion compositions. Subsequent projects with The Madleys produced albums such as Na domačem vrtu (In the Home Garden, 2002), Live at Aplentone (2009), and Kabinet čudes Brutka Bimbiča (Brutko Bimbič's Cabinet of Wonders). In the late 1990s he founded Accordion Tribe; this group issued four albums: Accordion Tribe (1998), Novitete in staritete (2000), Sea of Reeds (2002), and Lunghorn Twist (2006). Collaborative efforts culminated in the release of Hommage a Cliche (2019). Additionally, Bibič composed music for television films and contemporary ballet productions. His book Harmonika za budalce (Accordion for Idiots, 2014) explores accordion history alongside Begnagrad’s legacy and his solo career.

In 1990 Begnagrad’s album Jodlovska Urška was issued featuring previously unreleased recordings from Radio Novi Sad sessions dated 1977. That year also saw a French label AYYA reissue their original debut under the title Konzert for a Broken Dance, augmented by an additional track from those sessions called "Tazadnatanova = Thelastnewone". This re-release received favorable reviews across Western Europe. Two years later in 1992 former members compiled Tastare (Theoldwones), assembling recordings from Radio Novi Sad’s 1977 sessions alongside Ljubljana Radio Študent tracks from 1976 plus a ten-minute piece titled "Tazadna tanova" performed live at a Ljubljana cinema in 1977. In 2003 their first album was reissued by Israeli label MIO Records under its original name including supplementary audio-visual material from concerts held in 1983.

Studio albums

• Begnagrad (1982)
• Jodlovska Urška (1990)

Compilation albums

• Tastare (Theoldwones) (1992)

External links

• Begnagrad on Discogs
• Begnagrad on Prog Archives