Vinyl pressings
by Frédéric Chopin · 1981
Chopin Recital was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
2531 346 S 1 320 A U 1Runout side A variant 1
2531 346 S 2=6 320 AV 1A·2ARunout side B variant 1
2531 346 S 1 320 1 VRunout side A variant 2
2531 346 S 2=6 320 D A 1BRunout side B variant 2
2531 346 S 1 320 BN 1Runout A side
2531 346 S2=12 320 1CARunout B side
2531 346 S 1 320 BR 2Runout A side (variant 2)
2531 346 S2=12 320 1CBRunout B side (variant 2)
2531 346 S 1 320 4 10 1Side A, variant 1 - stamped
2531 346 S 2=12 3 20 4 1 . 2 1Side B, variant 1 - stamped
2230194 A A 17981Runout Inscription Side A
2230194 B B 17981Runout Inscription 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 91 063 8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 26 207-1LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346 / Deutsche Grammophon 28MG 0144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Deutsche Grammophon 2230194 / PGP RTB 2230194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Deutsche Grammophon 2230194 / PGP RTB 2230194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Deutsche Grammophon 2230194 / PGP RTB 2230194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Deutsche Grammophon 2230194 / PGP RTB 2230194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Deutsche Grammophon 2230194 / PGP RTB 2230194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Chopin Recital are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, France, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 2531 346.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2531 346, 2230194) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2531 346 S 1 320 A U 1 and 2531 346 S 2=6 320 AV 1A·2A. 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.
