Interview with Miloslav Kulhan

This concerns a sound engineer who collaborated with Smetana Quartet on most of their recordings for Supraphon and the Japanese company Nippon Columbia. The interview consists of memories of the initial collaboration with Smetana Quartet, recording in 1975 the first digital recordings in Lučany nad Nisou, and also the post-war development of sound recording technology. This is a person who was closely connected with the quartet not only professionally but also was their friend.

Interview with Marie Kohoutova

This recording contains memories of Antonín Kohout’s daughter, which I took directly in the apartment where the Smetana family rehearsed for many years. Marie Kohoutová often witnessed these rehearsals and was able to describe the style of preparation and many interesting facts. She also recalled her father’s parents and the environment where he was born, his professors B. Jaroš and K. P. Sádl. She also mentions the acquisition of Italian instruments for the state collection. And in conclusion, we can move to Silvestrs in Lučany, which were unusually held during the summer holidays.