Vinyl pressings
by Antal Dorati · 1963
Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique" was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 2 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
SR90312A-RFR-1Side 1 - variant 1
SR90312B-RFR-2 FSide 2 - variant 1
SR - 90312 A - RFR-1 1FSide 1 - variant 2
SR -90312 B- RFR-1 F P126Side 2 - variant 2
SR 90312 A RFR-1Runout A, etched
SR 90312 B RFR-1 P126Runout B, etched
SR90312ALabel A
SR90312BLabel B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | Mercury SR90312 / Mercury Living Presence SR90312First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR90312 / Mercury Living Presence SR90312First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Mercury MG50312 / Mercury Living Presence MG50312First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR90312 / Mercury Living Presence SR90312First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | US | Mercury SRI 75031LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Spain | Philips 65 38 017LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Philips 6539 020LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Philips 6582 014LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Fontana 698 001 FL ArtistiqueLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Philips 6570 911LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 894 029 ZKYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Philips 610 904 VLLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | Fontana 894 029 ZKYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 838504 VY / Rendez-vous Der Muzen 610904LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 698 001 CLLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 894 029 ZKYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 838 504 VYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique" are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1963 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, Canada. One of them is Mercury SR90312.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90312, MG50312) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR90312A-RFR-1 and SR90312B-RFR-2 F. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
