UK
1944- Label and catalog number
- Columbia D.X. 1289
- Format
- Shellac, 12", 78 RPM
- Runout / matrix
CAX9603-1 . G O . 1 7Stamped on Side A (13)
CAX9608-1 . H . 1 2Stamped on Side B (14)
CAX 9603Label, Side A (13)
CAX 9608Label, Side B (14)
Georg Friedrich HändelThe Messiah
Vinyl pressings
The Messiah
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1944
21 pressings4 countriesBaroqueOratorioChoralClassical
The Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1944. 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 The Messiah
1 pressing came out in 1944, 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.
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1940s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | UK | Columbia D.X. 1289First yearShellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| 1947 | US | Columbia Masterworks mm-666 / Columbia Masterworks MM 666Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album, Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album, Box Set, Album | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album, Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album, Box Set, Album |
| 1949 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML4110 / Columbia Masterworks ML4111LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1949 | US | Columbia Masterworks SL-151LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1949 | US | Columbia Masterworks SL-151LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
Year unknown16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML4110 SL-51 / Columbia Masterworks ML4111 SL-51LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Switzerland | Columbia DZX 38Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1294Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1292Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1289Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1298Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1301Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1291Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1283Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1299Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1284Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1285Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1286Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1287Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1293Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- The Messiah Vol. I
- A1. Overture
- B2. Recit: Comfort Ye, My People
- C3. Air: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
- D4. Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord
- E15. Recit: Thus Saith The Lord
- E26. Air: But Who May Abide (Beginning)
- F6. Air: But Who May Abide (Conclusion)
- G7. Chorus: And He Shall Purify
- H18. Recit: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
- H29. Air: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion (Beginning)
- I9. Air: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion (Conclusion)
- J10. Recit: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth
- K11. Air: The People That Walked In Darkness
- L12. Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
- M13. Pastoral Symphony
- N114. Recit: (a) There Were Shepherds (b) And Lo! The Angel Of The Lord
- N215. Recit: And The Angel Said Unto Them
- N316. Recit: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
- N417. Chorus: Glory To God
- O18. Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
- P119. Recit: Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened
- P220. Air: He Shall Feed His Flock
- Q20. Air: Come Unto Him
- R21. Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy
- The Messiah Vol. II
- S22. Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God
- T23. Air: He Was Despised
- U24. Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
- V25. Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
- W26. Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
- X127. Recit: All They That See Him
- X228. Chorus: He Trusted In God
- Y129. Recit: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
- Y230. Air: Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
- Z131. Recit: He Was Cut Off
- Z232. Air: But Thou Did'st Not Leave His Soul In Hell
- AA33. Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads
- AB137. Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word
- AB238. Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet
- AC139. Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out
- AC240. Air: Why Do The Nations?
- AD41. Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
- AE142. Recit: He That Dwelleth In Heaven
- AE243. Air: Thou Shalt Break Them
- AF44. Chorus: Hallelujah!
- AG45. Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Beginning)
- AH45. Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Conclusion)
- AI46. Chorus: Since By Man Came Death
- AJ147. Recit: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
- AJ248. Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound
- AK53. Chorus: (a) Worthy Is The Lamb
- AL53. Chorus: (b) Amen
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Messiah are there?
21 vinyl pressings of The Messiah are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1944 and 1949.
When was The Messiah first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1944, in UK. One of them is Columbia D.X. 1289.
How do I tell if my copy of The Messiah is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D.X. 1289) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAX9603-1 . G O . 1 7 and CAX9608-1 . H . 1 2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The 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.
