The story of Supraphon
We have been listening since 1932
Supraphon is the biggest Czech independent music label, whose history goes back to 1932. In nearly a hundred years of its existence it has amassed over 130,000 recordings, ranging from pop and classical music to spoken word. It is not only thanks to its large catalogue that it is referred to as one of the most renowned, traditional labels in the Czech Republic as well as abroad, where Supraphon is highly acclaimed for its classical music recordings. Apart from music publishing activities, the record company, which is closely connected with the Czech music and culture scene, also provides a complex portfolio of services for artists. Supraphon also looks for new talents and reflects the modern trends of the dynamic music scene.
If you would like to learn more about the history and the present of Supraphon, you can look at the timeline below or read our story. The complete range of our services is described on the page for musicians.
2020's
Supraphon becomes part of Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) today announced the acquisition of Supraphon, one of the most dynamic and influential music publishers in the Czech Republic. This acquisition represents a significant expansion of the company's presence in Central Europe.
Spejbl celebrates 100!
The Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre, together with Supraphon, is celebrating 100 years since the puppet of Mr. Spejbl first appeared on stage. The representative sampler Ať žije Spejbl is being released – on LP, CD and digitally.
Presto Music Award for two Supraphon projects
Presto Music, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the world's leading online music platforms and annually presents awards for the best recordings of the year. Winners are selected on the basis of careful listening and evaluation by the Presto Music editorial team. Two Supraphon projects won awards for 2024! In the Debut Album of the Year category, the young Trio Bohémo ensemble was successful with its recording of piano trios by Bedřich Smetana and Franz Schubert. The special box set of Smetana's complete operas, released on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth, also received great recognition, winning in the Archive Reissue of the Year category.
Choc de Classica de'l Année award for the complete Dvořák piano trios
The renowned French music magazine Classica has revealed the 20 most remarkable albums of 2024. The Choc de Classica de'l Année award went to Supraphon's album featuring the complete piano trios of Antonín Dvořák performed by world-renowned artists – Israeli pianist Boris Giltburg, violinist Veronika Jarůšková, and cellist Peter Jarůšek from the world acclaimed Pavel Haas Quartet.
A unique album by Kněžíková with Hrůša at the piano
Soprano Kateřina Kněžíková, a fixture in the world of opera and on concert stages (BBC SO, Bamberger Symphoniker, Czech Philharmonic, LPO, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, RLPO, etc.), follows up her album Phidylé, which received widespread acclaim from critics around the world (Gramophone Editor's Choice, BBC Music Magazine Award), with an album inspired by the songs of Richard Strauss. Together with conductor Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, she recorded an album entitled Tag und Nacht, which includes both Strauss's orchestral compositions and intimate songs with piano. Jakub Hrůša himself took on the unique role of piano accompanist.
Supraphon's first album in Dolby Atmos
The young Trio Bohémo, which has been enjoying success at prestigious competitions and in concert halls around the world for several years, is releasing its debut album on Supraphon in August 2024. It brings together two important piano trios: Smetana's Trio in G minor and Schubert's Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major. Both compositions have a profound story and are interpreted with distinctive sensitivity. The album is being released on CD and digitally, and as the first Supraphon recording of classical music, it will also be available in Dolby Atmos format, allowing listeners to enjoy it using surround sound technology.
Supraphon celebrates the 200th anniversary of Smetana's birth with a unique opera collection
To mark the 200th anniversary of Bedřich Smetana's birth and as part of the celebrations for the Year of Czech Music 2024, Supraphon is releasing a deluxe 17CD box set containing seven separately packaged 2CDs plus one 3CD with detailed information on each opera, a 40-page booklet with a comprehensive study, rich photographic documentation, and a link to download the libretto in Czech and English. The digitally remastered recordings faithfully capture the sound of the Czech Smetana tradition, even when listened to digitally in Hi-Res quality.
The Year of Czech Music begins
Every year ending in four is considered the Year of Czech Music. The anniversaries of Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), Leoš Janáček (1854–1928), Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959), and Josef Suk (1874–1935) all fall on years ending in four. In addition, 2024 will mark 200 years since Smetana's birth and 140 years since his death. The ambassadors for the Year of Czech Music 2024 are Gabriela Beňačková, Pavel Černoch, Klára Gibišová, Jakub Hrůša, Jiří Kylián, Josef Špaček, and the Pavel Haas Quartet. The logo for the Year of Czech Music and the Smetana 200 project was created by Studio Najbrt. The record label Supraphon will also contribute to the Year of Czech Music with several projects throughout the year.
Remarkable Village Stories by the Prague Philharmonic Choir
Janáček and the younger generation of Bartók and Stravinsky form an important trio of 20th-century composers who were significantly influenced by folk music and integrated it into their musical thinking. It is precisely their compositions that the world-renowned Prague Philharmonic Choir, led by Lukáš Vasilek, has chosen for its remarkable new album Village Stories. Stravinsky's The Wedding, Janáček's Říkadla (Nursery Rhymes) and Bartók's Three Village Scenes come to life in these new recordings thanks to a whole host of outstanding soloists and ensembles. The recording was nominated for the Czech Anděl Award and received international recognition from Joker Absolu, Crescendo Magazine, Choc de Classica, and Classica magazine.