US
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2L 242
- Format
- LP, Mono · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
x"LP"41486Label, side 1
x"LP"41487Label, side 2
x"LP"41488Label, side 3
x"LP"41489Label, side 4
Georg Friedrich HändelMessiah
Vinyl pressings
Messiah
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1958
15 pressings6 countriesBaroqueOratorioClassical
Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Messiah
7 pressings came out in 1958, 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.
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2S 603
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XXSM44392-1AH | |Side A runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44393-1AD | |Side B runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44394-1K |Side C runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44995-1AG | |Side D runout, stamped [dashes etched]
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2L 242
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
x"LP"41486Label, side 1
x"LP"41487Label, side 2
x"LP"41488Label, side 3
x"LP"41489Label, side 4
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2S 603Columbia Masterworks M2S-603
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XXSM44392-1BE AIIIIISide A runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44393-1AG T B1Side B runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44394-1AA P O II-IIISide C runout, stamped [dashes etched]
XXSM44995-1BE II-IIIIIISide D runout, stamped [dashes etched]
US
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2L 242
- Format
- LP, Mono · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
vXLP41486-1FLabel, side 1
XXLP41487-1AFLabel, side 2
vxLP41488-1HLabel, side 3
XXLP41489-1LLabel, side 4
Canada
1958- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M2S 603
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XSM-44392-1B-2HDKO DM-7Side 1
XSM-44395-1B-2HDK 12Side 2
XSM-44394-1B-2HRK D 10Side 3
XSM-44395-1B-2HDK DM-13Side 4
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 15 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks M2S 603First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks M2L 242First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2L 242First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 603First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2L 242First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 603 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-603First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2L 242First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
Year unknown8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS MS 6039 / Columbia M2S-603LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Philips L 09412/13 L / Philips L 09412 LLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips L 09412/13 LLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Philips L 09412/13LLP | LP |
| ? | UK | Philips ABL.3210 / Philips ABL 3210LP | LP |
| ? | US | CBS Masterworks MS 6039LP | LP |
| ? | US | CBS Masterworks MG 603 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-603 MS 6038 MS 6039 XSM 44392LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M2S 603, M2S-603LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
Tracklist
- Part I: Christmas Section (Beginning)
- A1.1Overture
- A1.2Recit.: Comfort Ye, My People
- A1.3Air: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
- A1.4Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord
- A1.5Recit.: Thus Saith The Lord
- A1.6Air: But Who May Abide
- A1.7Chorus: And He Shall Purify
- A1.8Recit.: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
- A1.9Air: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion
- Part I: Christmas Section (Continuation)
- B1.1Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
- B1.2Pastoral Symphony
- B1.3Recit.: There Were Shepherds
- B1.4Recit.: And Lo! The Angel Of The Lord Came Upon Them
- B1.5Recit.: And The Angel Said Unto Them
- B1.6Recit.: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
- B1.7Chorus: Glory To God
- B1.8Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
- B1.9Recit.: Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened
- B1.10Air: He Shall Feed His Flock
- B1.11Air: Come Unto Him
- B1.12Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads
- Part I: Christmas Section (Conclusion)
- C1.1Air: Why Do The Nations?
- C1.2Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Assunder
- C1.3Recit.: He That Dwelleth In Heaven
- C1.4Air: Thou Shalt Break Them
- C1.5Chorus: Hallelujah!
- Part II: Easter Section (Beginning)
- C2.1Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God
- C2.2Air: He Was Despised
- C2.3Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
- C2.4Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
- Part II: Easter Section (Conclusion)
- D1.1Recit.: All They That See Him Laugh
- D1.2Chorus: He Trusted In God
- D1.3Recit.: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
- D1.4Air: Behold And See
- D1.5Recit.: He Was Cut Off
- D1.6Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
- D1.7Chorus: Since By Man Came Death
- D1.8Recit.: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
- D1.9Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound
- D1.10Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb
- D1.11Chorus: Blessing And Honour, Glory And Power
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Messiah are there?
15 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 6 countries.
When was Messiah first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M2L 242.
How do I tell if my copy of Messiah is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2L 242, M2S 603) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, x"LP"41486 and x"LP"41487. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Messiah on vinyl worth?
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.
