United Islands České spořitelny presents: ZELENÁ POŠTA

Zelená pošta (Green Mail), the legendary Czechoslovak big-beat album, is back on stage after more than 40 years! Marián Varga, Pavol Hammel and Radim Hladík, accompanied by Collegium Musicum, will give a new lease on life to one of the most essential records of Czechoslovak music history.

The concert will feature the complete repertoire featured on Zelená pošta, in addition to other pieces taken from albums made jointly by the same protagonists, such as Na II. programe sna (On Channel Two of a Dream) and Labutie piesne (Swan Songs). Since the record was made, this set-up – Varga, Hammel, Hladík and the Collegium Musicum – has never played it live in concert.
 
The Zelená pošta album was recorded in 1972, and today represents one of the most legendary recordings of Czechoslovak music. This fruitful collaboration between the unique composer Marián Varga and the charismatic singer Pavol Hammel produced a total of five records, with Zelená pošta being arguably the most famous of them all. The record was produced by the bass guitarist of Collegium Musicum, Fedor Frešo. Another important factor in making the record was the foundation of the Opus record label, which at the time had newly emerged as a new branch of the state-owned Supraphon company, as was the participation of  Czechoslovak Radio, whose Bratislava studios hosted the recording session. Pavol Hammel remembers the atmosphere of the session: “We had more freedom in the studio, the soundmen were passionate and dedicated, and we were in no hurry, as there were practically no limitations, even financial ones. The newly emerged Opus label as well as Slovak Radio trusted us… as a singer, I did not even rehearse with the band… it was just a creative synergy between everyone present, something which can hardly be repeated. At that one moment in time, we were all one – the musicians, as different as they were, lyricists, sound crew, record label…”