Vinyl pressings
by Béla Bartók · 1966
Piano Concerto No. 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. 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 1966, 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.
ZAL-7221-4L I KT 1Runout side A - stamped
ZAL-7222-5L N KT 1Runout side B - stamped
ZAL.7221Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.7222Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-7221-4LRunout side A - stamped
ZAL-7222-5LRunout side B - stamped
ZAL 7221Matrix on label - side A
ZAL 7222Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-7221-4L I KT 1Runout side A - stamped
ZAL-7222-5L N KT 1Runout side B - stamped
ZAL.7221Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.7222Matrix on label - side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | UK | Decca LXT 6209 / Decca LXT.6209First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Israel | PAX ist 572 / PAX ist 572First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Decca SXL 6209 / Decca SXL.6209First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | London Records CS 6487First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 486LP | LP |
| 1975 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 486LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | London Records STS 15494 / London Records STS15494LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Sweden | Recut Records REC 01LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 6209LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 6209LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Sweden | Recut Records REC 5001LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6209 / Decca SXL.6209LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6209 / Decca SXL.6209LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 3 are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1966 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in UK, US, Israel. One of them is Decca SXL 6209, released September 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6209, LXT 6209, CS 6487, ist 572) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-7221-4L I KT 1 and ZAL-7222-5L N KT 1. 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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1965 · 39 pressings
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