Vinyl pressings
by Bruno Walter · 1961
Symphony No. 4 was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year. 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.
o XXSM-53939-3B ISide 1 variant 1
o XXSM-53940-3B ISide 2 variant 1
o XXSM-53941-3B p ISide 3 variant 1
XXSM-53942-2A ΛSide 4 variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 622 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-622First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks m2l-273First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | New Zealand | CBS SBR475114/5 / CBS SBR 475114LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony Inc. 40AC 1825-6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony SONC 10117LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AC 1277~8LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS SBRG 72012LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS SBRG 72011LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS BRG 72012LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS BRG 72011LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 622 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-622LP, Album, Stereo, Repress, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 622 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-622LP, Album, Stereo, Repress, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 622; MS 6282/MS 6283LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
13 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 4 are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1961 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M2S 622.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2S 622, m2l-273) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o XXSM-53939-3B I and o XXSM-53940-3B I. 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.
