The Supraphon brand dates back to 1932, when it was used as an export brand of the Ultraphon publishing house. After nationalization, the publishing house changed to the well-known Gramofonové závody, from which the state music publishing house Supraphon was created in 1969. Gramophone plants today belong to entrepreneurs Zdenek Pelc and they still make vinyl records.
Supraphon has developed into one of the oldest and most respected music publishers in Central Europe. After privatization, it passed into private hands and until recently belonged to entrepreneurs Zdenek Kozak a Milos Petan. Now, the largest Czech music publishing house with a catalog of recordings in the estimated number of around 100,000 is becoming the property of Sony Music. The Japanese will retain the current CEO.
Supraphon has on its roster recordings by artists such as Karel Gott, Lucie Bílá, Marek Ztracený, Škwor, Olympic, Hana Zagorová and Václav Neckář, as well as music by internationally recognized classical music artists such as the Pavel Haas Quartet, Ivan Moravec, the Czech Philharmonic and many others. Supraphon was profitable, earning roughly 45 million crowns in the last published year (2023). The amount for the transaction was not disclosed.
“Supraphon is a cornerstone of Czech music heritage with a priceless catalog and a commitment to supporting Czech and Slovak talent that perfectly aligns with Sony Music’s efforts to develop artists,” said Daniel Lieberberg, Sony Music Entertainment’s president of continental Europe and Africa.
Source: www.cnews.cz
