Hana Hegerová Merci!

A gift to Mrs. HH on her ninetieth birthday – and her to us

A year ago, in preparation for the celebration of Hana Hegerova’s 90th birthday, the idea of summarising her francophone repertoire was conceived. She liked the theme very much and gladly agreed to it. As fate would have it, this year’s preparatory work could only be observed – and enriched by the provision of archival material – by her descendants.

The recordings from 1965 to 2010 include everything that was recorded, mainly studio shots but also rare stage moments. A chronology has been preserved, allowing for logical continuation of period arrangements and sounds, but also showing the maturation of artistic expression. Between her thirties and eighties or so, Hana Hegerova met Brel, Ferre, Becaud, Moustaki, Aznavour and Gainsbourg to add her own singing and personal experiences. The original versions, as well as the lyrics by Pavlo Kopta, zak and Vrba, O. Suchy, J. Fikejzova and others, have helped make these songs a permanent part of the top of our popular music of the last six decades.

In the form of a 2LP set, it is actually a thank you to France by Mrs. Hegerova for her musical inspiration and at the same time our thanks to her for a lot of beautiful music. The cover features a photograph by Jakub Ludvik, capturing the charmingly relaxed singer. Inside the cover you’ll find historic footage from Paris Olympia and other concert images, as well as reminiscences of her career and sheet music, lyrics and other material from Hana Hegerova’s personal archive.