Juraj Pecník folk music group
Slovakia, acountry in the heart of Europe, is well known for its folklore traditions. Podpoľanie – aregion which lies under the peak Poľana in central Slovakia, is asignificant Slovak region in the field of folk art and culture. Here lies also asmall village Čerín which is abirthplace of brothers Ján Pecník and Juraj Pecník. However, also the remaining memebers of Juraj Pecník folk music group grew up with magic music and songs of this region, therefore, naturally these songs form the core of their repertoire.
They started just like any other folk music group in Slovakia – in afolk group. They grew up with their passion for music, and learned from the songs of their ancestors
Weddings, folk merriments, celebrations, festivals, concerts – an endless number of performances which formed their performance and helped them succeed in avery strong competition of folk music groups from Podpoľanie. Acording to father Pecník, with surname Heráč and his famous band from Čerín near Banská bystrica, they were first called Heráčovci. However, people from Podpoľanie, who know and love folk music, soon understood that the son outgrew his father and that the group lead by Juraj Pecník has higher ambitions. That is not only to play but also improve, perfect and put their own creative touch and feel to interpretation of folk melodies. The main goal is to satisfy the listener, create a relaxing feeling, raise their interest by brilliant variation and unusual harmony, escalate listener´s mood by maximum onset and create atmosphere which forces to sing, dance and have fun.
This is hiw the Pecníks are know both in Slovakia and abroad. They have performed in radio and TV programs and also in concerts in Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Romania, Serbia, the Netherlands, and have taken part at folk festivals in Italy, France and Canada. They presented the maturity of Slovak folk music during EXPO ´92 in Spanish Sevilla as well as at the International fair in Monaco.
The name Pecník is mainly conected with song Mám ja hrušku (I have apear). This song, together with other songs and instrumental arrangements, have been recorded in cooperation with music publishing house Akcent. From 1992 to 2010 it was almost 20 different titles.Starting with the first CD „Do spevu ido tanca“, then it was „Pastierske avinočné piesne“ and later „Vrchárska nálada“ and „Vrchárske cifry“. The last recordings are aresult of unusual project – founding of Vrchársky orchestra which under the leadership of Juraj Pecník comprises almost all first fiddlers from folk music groups of Podpoľanie region. They laso cooperate with the best soloists – singers.