Zlatovláska / Jabloňová Panna (Pohádky Karla Jaromíra Erbena)

Released in 1991 by the label Multisonic, this spoken-word recording features two of the most iconic fairy tales from the collection of Karel Jaromír Erben, a foundational figure in Czech folklore studies. Coming immediately after the political transition of the Velvet Revolution, the production sought to preserve the cultural heritage of Czech storytelling for a new generation. By casting the esteemed stage and film actress Jiřina Jirásková as the narrator, Multisonic ensured that these traditional narratives were delivered with the gravitas and emotive nuance characteristic of the period's high-quality audio dramas.

The album serves as a poignant example of the cultural revitalization in Czechoslovakia during the early 1990s, where traditional literary classics were frequently reissued in accessible audio formats. Jiřina Jirásková, known for her prolific work at the Vinohrady Theatre, brings a refined, melodic tone to these tales of Zlatovláska and the Jabloňová Panna. The design of the release is understated and functional, reflecting the scholarly yet accessible approach taken by Multisonic to reintroduce Erben’s complex, moral-heavy fairy tales to listeners during a time of significant social change.