Editio Supraphon
Contents |
History
Supraphon is the most common name under which the Czechoslovakian state music publishing company was known. The origins of this firm go back to 1949 when Czech music publishers, among which Urbanék, Hudební Matice, and Starý, were nationalized. At first some firms were brought together under Národní hudební vydavatelství Orbis (in 1951) while the imprint Hudební Matice remained also in use. In 1953 these catalogues were brought together under Státní nakladatelství krásné literatury, hudby a umění (SNKLHU, State Publishers of Literature, Music and Art). In 1961 the firm was split in Státní hudební vydavatelství (State Music Publishers) and Státní nakladatelství krásné literatury a umění which became Editio Supraphon (in 1967?). In 1993, the company was privatized and renamed Editio Praga. Editio Praga finished its operation in 2000.
Editions
Supraphon and its predecessors had an emphasis on publishing works of Czech composers, both of classical artist (with complete editions of Dvorák (Antonín Dvořák - Souborne Vydani dila), Smetana, Janáček, and the monumental series Musica antiqua bohemica) and contemporary composers.
Copyright
The critical editions of older composers such as Dvorak and Smetana produced by Supraphon more than 30 years ago are public domain in the EU due to the 93/98 EU Copyright Directive. As explained elsewhere, these editions - even those less than 30 years old - are most likely ineligible for copyright status in Canada due to both a failure to meet the "threshold of originality" and their status as government publications produced by state employees. However, IMSLP voluntarily observes a 25-year term for all such editions - including those issued by Supraphon. Most of these editions are likewise free in the USA thanks to their PD status in the country of origin, absent or defective copyright notices, etc. Thus they have been reprinted extensively by Dover, Kalmus and others. In contrast, the works of more recent Czech composers - who died less than 50 years ago (70 years in the EU) - are fully protected by copyright. On the other hand, the entire catalog of Hudební Matice has been in public domain since the sheet publishing house Supraphon ceased to exist, as there is no successor.
Imprints, Addresses and Agents
Imprints
- Hudební Matice (1871-1951)
- Národní hudební vydavatelství Orbis (1951-1953)
- Státní nakladatelství krásné literatury, hudby a umění - SNKLHU (1953-1961)
- Státní hudební vydavatelství (1961-1966)
- Supraphon, also Editio Supraphon (1967-1993)
- Editio Praga (1993-2000)
- Editio Supraphon Praha (1998-1999)
Plate Numbers
The nationalised Hudbní Matice changed its H.M. imprint to H ####, which was continued by the respective state music publishers. Titles from the Hudební Matice catalogue were frequently reprinted with the new plate numbers. Orbis used the imprint EO ###.
| Plate | Composer | Work | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| EO 3 | Voříšek | Piano Sonata, Op.20 | 1949 |
| EO 135 | Novák | Variations on a Theme by Schumann | 1950 |
| EO 139 | Godard | Etudes, Op.149 | 1950 |
| EO 246 | Fibich | 5 Feuillets d'Album, Op.2 | 1950 |
| EO 297 | Suk | About Mother, Op.28 | 1950 |
| EO 298 | Suk | Spring, Op.22a | 1950 |
| EO 305 | Fibich | Etudes Picturales, Op.56 | 1951 |
| EO 384 | Fibich | Moods, Impressions, and Souvenirs, Op.41: Book 1 | 1951 |
| EO 425 | Fibich | Moods, Impressions, and Souvenirs, Op.41: Book 2 | 1951 |
| EO 475 | Novák | Sonatinas, Op.54 | 1951 |
| EO 479 | Novák | Sonata Eroica, Op.24 | 1951 |
| EO 675 | Fibich | Moods, Impressions, and Souvenirs, Op.41: Book 3 | 1951 |
| EO 738 | Fibich | Romance, Op.10 | 1951 |
Sources Consulted
- 1. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by Stanley Sadie.
- New York and London: Macmillan Publications, 1980.
- 2. Wikipedia, "Supraphon." November 6, 2006.
- 3. Department of Justice, Obchodni rejstrik (Online database of Czech companies).
