Vinyl pressings
by Béla Bartók · 1979
Concerto For Orchestra was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ARC1-3421A-4 BSide A stamped, var. 1 [B etched]
ARC1-3421-B-1 DSide B stamped, var. 1 [D etched]
ARC1-3421A-1ESide A stamped, var. 2
ARC1-3421B-3 4 CSide B stamped, var. 2 [3 crossed out]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Red Seal AR1-3421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA Red Seal RVC-2289 / RCA Red Seal ARC1-3421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | RCA Red Seal ARC1-3421First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | RCA Red Seal ARC1-4308LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | RCA RL 13421 / RCA Red Seal RL 13421LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Red Seal Digital 30 755-3LP | LP |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Red Seal 30 755-3LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Red Seal RL 13421LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | RCA Red Seal ARC1-3421 / RCA Red Seal ARCI 3421LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Red Seal RL-13421LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | RCA Gold Seal GL 83421LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | RCA Gold Seal GL 83421LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Concerto For Orchestra are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Japan. One of them is RCA Red Seal ARC1-3421.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARC1-3421, AR1-3421, RVC-2289) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARC1-3421A-4 B and ARC1-3421-B-1 D. 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.
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