Spread downpours of white blossoms for Nana Mouskouri
Nana Mouskouri initially presented "White Roses from Athens" to the Germans, but she has shared numerous tunes worldwide throughout her career. Music has consistently been the main focus in her life, even during her foray into politics. Now, she celebrates her 90th birthday.
She has released over 1600 songs in more than 20 languages and has over 130 albums to her credit, earning over 300 gold, diamond, and platinum records. To commemorate her 90th birthday on October 13, 2024, Nana Mouskouri has unveiled a new album and received congratulations from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The new album is a testament to her gratefulness towards her supporters over the years. It offers a musical journey spanning her more than 65-year career, hinting at a possible farewell. The renowned Greek singer residing in Athens, Paris, and Geneva expresses gratitude for her accomplishments so far, but at her age, she admits she cannot envision grand plans for the future. Does age intimidate her? "I've never dwelt on my age or if I have, it's like everyone else."
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated the singer on her birthday. "Your music, dear Nana Mouskouri, has accompanied me almost my entire life," he wrote. He shares with her not only a love for jazz but also an appreciation for the role of civic society and political engagement in fostering a harmonious coexistence in our nation, Europe, and globally. Mouskouri has served as a member of the European Parliament and the UNICEF's special representative for children's rights. "I appreciate your courage, commitment, and sincerity, and I cherish our connection beyond that of a jazz fan," wrote Steinmeier.
Ironically, Germany
Mouskouri has attempted to retire from the stage several times before. Nearly two decades ago, she proclaimed she felt old, but without singing, she felt incomplete and aimless. Consequently, she continued to perform: music is her greatest passion and her enduring love.
Her new album "Happy Birthday Nana" includes 21 songs, including her beloved and renowned German-language compositions such as "Guten Morgen Sonnenschein", "Johnny Tambour", and "White Roses from Athens", which made her a star in Germany. In addition, it includes three new songs recorded with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra London.
Ironically, it was in Germany that she gained stardom, a country she did not always have fond memories of. Between 1941 and 1944, Greece was under the control of Nazi Germany. The brutal conquest of her homeland by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS left lasting scars. However, today, Mouskouri cherishes the country.
A Sigh of Relief
A significant event in 1961 contributed to this change in sentiment. That year, the Berlin Wall was erected, and she came to Berlin to record the song "White Roses from Athens". The recording studio was in the western part of Berlin, specifically at Potsdamer Platz. Upon leaving the building, she observed people waving handkerchiefs from the other side.
"That gave my heart a sigh of relief and reminded me of what happened then," said Mouskouri. She realized that people were experiencing hardships in that divided city as well. The single, released in 1961, sold over 1.5 million copies within six months, earning her her first gold record.
The wall later revealed itself to her from the other side as well. In the 80s, they performed concerts in the GDR, where they sang "The Song of Freedom" among other tunes, as she explained. The symbolic title is also present on their new album.
From Music to Politics
Mouskouri was born in 1934 on Crete. Her father was part of a resistance movement against the Nazis and worked in a cinema where her mother also worked. At the age of three, she moved with her family to Athens, and at six, she experienced Greece's colonization by the Germans.
For her to attend the conservatory in Athens, her parents had to work tirelessly. In 1959, she won the first prize of the Greek singing competition. Two years later, her international hit "White Roses from Athens" followed.
In the 90s, Mouskouri was elected to the European Parliament for the conservative Greek party Nea Dimokratia. Following the end of her term, she stepped down: "I was disillusioned with politics," she said repeatedly. In 1993, she became a UNICEF ambassador.
The Eyeglass Legend
In her 2008 autobiography "Yearning's Voice: My Memories", she delves into her childhood and adolescence, the war, and the hardships. She describes the story of a shy teenager filled with insecurities who was simply passionate about singing.
Music became her confidant. She learned to express herself through her singing on stage. Today, she can claim membership in the elite group of the most commercially successful singers of all time with over 300 million records sold.
Her black glasses, along with Elton John's, are likely the most famous in the world. They not only corrected her vision problems but also bolstered her confidence. With dark glasses, she found the courage, as she previously mentioned.
She paved the way as the initial prominent artist to show up in the public sphere clad in spectacles. People frequently demanded she remove them, but she never complied, stating, "I've never taken them off because I'm near-sighted," to the publication "Le Parisien." Her spectacles never served to establish a specific style for her.
Her tunes revolve around love, optimism, sorrow, and joy – themes that resonate universally. She attributed her success to this very characteristic: "Music needs to resonate with the people, allowing them to feel the emotions portrayed in the songs."
Subsequently, on her latest album, you'll find a revamped rendition of "Pios echi Dakria." The song is structured similarly to Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind." It serves as a profound source of solace. For her birthday, she's content with whatever achievements she's garnered throughout her life. She's a grown individual who's been nurtured by music.
Despite retiring multiple times, Nana Mouskouri's passion for music always brought her back to the stage. Her love for music is evident in her extensive discography, with over 1600 songs in various languages and over 130 albums.
The new album "Happy Birthday Nana" is filled with tunes that have resonated with audiences worldwide, including her renowned German compositions "Guten Morgen Sonnenschein", "Johnny Tambour", and "White Roses from Athens".
