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The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Firebird

by Igor Stravinsky · 1960

40 pressings12 countriesModernBalletClassical

The Firebird was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 Firebird

5 pressings came out in 1960, 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

1960
Label and catalog number
Mercury SR90226Mercury Living Presence SR90226
Format
LP, Stereo
Runout / matrix

SR 90226A-FR1 I A1Runout stamped side A

SR 90226B-FR3 I A1Runout etched side B

P17Etched in runout both sides

Full details of this pressing

US

1960
Label and catalog number
Mercury MG50226Mercury Living Presence MG50226
Format
LP, Mono
Runout / matrix

MG 50226A FR1 I JJ A1Side 1 runout

MG 50226B FR1 I JJ A1Side 2 runout

Full details of this pressing

US

1960
Label and catalog number
Mercury SR90226Mercury Living Presence SR90226
Format
LP, Promo, Stereo
Runout / matrix

SR 90226A-FR1 I A1Runout stamped side A

SR 90226B-FR3 I A1Runout etched side B

P17Etched in runout both sides

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 40 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1960UKMercury MMA 11089First yearLP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
1960UKMercury AMS 16038 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1960USMercury SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1960USMercury MG50226 / Mercury Living Presence MG50226First yearLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1960USMercury SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1961USMercury SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226LP, Repress, StereoLP, Repress, Stereo
1963FranceMercury 121.002 MSLLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1963FranceMercury 131.002 MSYLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1970s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1971UKFontana 6547 003LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
1972UKContour 6870 574 / Contour 6870-574LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
1974CanadaPhilips 6538 014 / Invitation A La Musique 6538 014LPLP
1975USMercury SRI 75058LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
1980s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980CanadaPhilips 6538 014LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
1980CanadaPhilips 6538 014LPLP
1990s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1997USMercury SR90226 / Classic Records SR90226LP, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Reissue, Remastered
1997USClassic Records SR90226LP, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, RemasteredLP, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Reissue, Remastered
1997USMercury SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226LP, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressingLP, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing
1997USMercury SR90226 / Classic Records SR90226LP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2000s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2008GermanyMercury Living Presence SR90226 / Speakers Corner Records SR90226LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
2010s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2013ItalyMercury SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence SR90226LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
2015NetherlandsMercury Living Presence SR90226 / Mercury Living Presence 478 8318LP, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2020UK & EuropeMercury MERCURYSR90226LPLP
Year unknown18 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaEclipse Record Club Pty Ltd ZC50226LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club editionLP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition
?FrancePhilips 6538 014LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
?FranceMercury 131.002 MSYLP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
?FrancePhilips 6538 014LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
?GermanyMercury 120553 MGL / Mercury Living Presence 120553 MGLLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?GermanyMercury SR90226LP, RemasteredLP, Remastered
?GermanyMercury RO 80622 / Mercury 80622LP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club editionLP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition
?Germany & SwitzerlandMercury STRO 80622 / Mercury 80622LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
?ItalyFontana 894 083 ZKYLP, StereoLP, Stereo
?ItalyPhilips 6538 014LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
?JapanLondon Records L28C-1760LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?NetherlandsMercury Living Presence 130 553 MGYLP, StereoLP, Stereo
?NetherlandsFontana 894 083 ZKYLP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?UKPhilips SGL.5827 / Philips SGL 5827LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
?UKPhilips GL5827LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
All 18 pressings from unknown years

Tracklist

  1. A1Introduction And The Enchanted Garden Of Kastchei
  2. A2Visit Of The Firebird Followed By Prince Ivan
  3. A3Dance Of The Firebird
  4. A4Prince Ivan Captures The Firebird
  5. A5An Appeareance Of Thirteen Princesses
  6. A6Game Of The Princesses With The Golden Apples
  7. B1Sudden Appearance Of Prince Ivan
  8. B2Round-Dance Of The Princesses
  9. B3Daybreak
  10. B4The Demonic Bells, Apparition Of Monster-Guards Of Kastchei And The Capture Of Prince Ivan
  11. B5Dialogue Of Prince Ivan And Kastchei
  12. B6Infernal Dance Of Kastchei And His Court And The Lullaby
  13. B7Kastchei's Death
  14. B8Animation Of The Petrified Knights And General Rejoicing

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Firebird are there?

40 vinyl pressings of The Firebird are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1960 and 2020.

When was The Firebird first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK. One of them is Mercury SR90226.

How do I tell if my copy of The Firebird is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90226, MG50226, MMA 11089, AMS 16038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 90226A-FR1 I A1 and SR 90226B-FR3 I A1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Firebird 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.

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