Czech record label Supraphon acquired by Sony Music

Supraphon, the venerable Czech record label specialising in classical and pop music, has this month been bought by the American multinational company Sony Music Entertainment.

With a history stretching back to the First Republic, Supraphon is a respected mainstay of the Czech musical scene. It was originally created in 1932 as a trademark for the exports of the German-Czech music label Ultraphon. Following the Second World War, Supraphon continued to produce records throughout the Communist area, as one of three major nationalised labels.

Photo: Supraphon

During the post-Prague Spring period of Normalisation, it was Supraphon that produced the majority of records in Czechoslovakia. The record label gained its independence from the state after the Velvet Revolution, and has published the audio output of big names in classical music like the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and of pop stars like Karel Gott and Lucie Bílá.

Now Supraphon is writing a new chapter in its long history, as it becomes one label within the portfolio of Sony Music Entertainment. Daniel Lieberberg, the multination’s president for Continental Europe and Africa, described Supraphon as “a cornerstone of Czech music heritage, with an invaluable catalogue and a commitment to promoting Czech and Slovak talent”. Supraphon’s chief producer, Matouš Vlčinský, spoke about the new arrangement:

Matouš Vlčinský|Photo: Petr Veber, Czech Radio

“We had conversations with representatives of Sony Music Entertainment last week, and one important thing emerged from those conversations: that Sony Music Entertainment was interested in Supraphon because of what kind of label it is, because of its uniqueness in the music world, because of the titles it releases, and how it presents itself and is appreciated by the world. I think that we are expected to continue to do what we do best, and we will do so as best as we can. We will continue to maintain and develop what is unique about Supraphon.”

In terms of modern music habits, streaming tracks and albums online has become the main way that Czech now consume their music, yet Supraphon will continue to create physical copies. Matouš Vlčinský again, explaining why:

Photo: Supraphon

“If I could guess, I would say that in classical music the CD as a format will probably live the longest, because it is a format that offers a large dynamic range, great precision of reproduction, and at the same time it is a physical medium that allows a person to have a certain listening ritual.”

Czech music fans will have to wait and see what changes the acquisition brings, but the team at Supraphon nonetheless seem committed to continuing the label’s long history of musical excellence.