US
January 3, 1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks ML 5060Columbia Masterworks ML-5060
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
XLP 35696-2A H1A side runout
XLP 35697-4A H1B side runout
XLP 35696A side label
XLP 35697B side label
Vinyl pressings
The Goldberg Variations
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1956
105 pressings17 countriesBaroqueTheme With VariationsPianoClassical
The Goldberg Variations was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 Goldberg Variations
12 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year, in 6 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
January 3, 1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks ML 5060
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
XXLP35696-4E 111111111111Runout A see notes - variant 1
XXLP35697-3A 1111Runout B see notes - variant 1
XLP35696-4A. IIIRunout A see notes - variant 2
XLP35697-2A. IIIRunout B see notes - variant 2
US
January 3, 1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks ML 5060
- Format
- LP, Mono · Hol
- Runout / matrix
XXLP35696-4H HA-side runout stamped variant 1
XXLP35697-3D HB-side runout stamped variant 1
XXLP35696-4J HA-side runout stamped variant 2
XXLP35697-3E HB-side runout stamped variant 2
US
January 3, 1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks ML 5060Columbia Masterworks ML-5060
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
XLP 35696-4HA side runout
XLP 35697-3DB side runout
XLP 35696A side label
XLP 35697B side label
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks ML 5060
- Format
- LP, Promo
South Africa
January 3, 1956- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks BLD 7034Columbia Masterworks BLD 7034
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
XLP 35696Label Side A
XLP 35697Label Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 105 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Argentina | Columbia 4233 / Columbia 4.233First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1956 | USSR | Ленинградский Завод Д-04932 / Ленинградский Завод Д-04933First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | USSR | Аккорд Д-04932 / Аккорд Д-04933First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | South Africa | Columbia Masterworks BLD 7034 / Columbia Masterworks BLD 7034First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060 / Columbia Masterworks ML-5060First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060 / Columbia Masterworks ML-5060First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Japan | Columbia Masterworks WL 5205First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | Philips SBL5211LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | USSR | Апрелевский Завод Д—04932 / Апрелевский Завод Д—04933LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1960s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | PHILIPS L 01.329 LLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | USSR | Апрелевский Завод Д—04932 / Апрелевский Завод Д—04933LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060 / Columbia Masterworks ML-5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | Japan | CBS OL-208-CLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | CBS 72692 / CBS S 72692LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1968 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1969 | Italy | CBS S 72692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1970s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | USSR | Мелодия Д-04932 / Мелодия Д-04933LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235587 / CBS SBR-235587LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks M 31820LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS SBR 475304 / CBS SBR 475 304LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS Classics 61571LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31820LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31820LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOCL 1025LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOCL 1025LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | CBS Masterworks CBS 75692 / CBS CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | CBS Masterworks CBS 75692 / CBS CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS 61 540LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS 61 540LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS 61 540LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31820LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
1980s14 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks M 31820 / CBS Masterworks M 31820LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия Д 04932-33LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | France | Columbia Masterworks CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | France | Columbia Masterworks CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony Masterworks 20AC 1522LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | CBS MY 38479LP, Album, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38479LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38479LP, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38479LP, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | USSR | Мелодия Д 04932-3LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | Canada | CBS MY 38479LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1984 | Hungary | Hungaroton LPXL 12714LP | LP |
| 1984 | USSR | Мелодия Д 04932-3LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 111509LP | LP |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Europe | Sony Classical 88697147451 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
2010s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Doxy DOZ419LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Dol DOS500LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Vinyl Passion Classical VPC 85000LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | Europe | Vinyl Passion Classical VPC 85000LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Europe | DOL DOS500HLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 2015 | UK, Europe & US | Sony Classical 88875091041 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 2016 | Europe | Ermitage VNL 12702LP, Album | LP, Album |
2020s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | WaxTime In Color 950733LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Japan | Sony Music Masterworks SIJP 1065LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 2023 | Europe | Dol DOS500HZLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Number One Essentials 291007LP | LP |
Year unknown32 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| ? | Australia | CBS SBR 235266LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 7096LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Columbia Masterworks ML 5060LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | CBS Masterworks CBS 75692 / CBS CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | CBS S 75692LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | CBS Masterworks CBS 75692 / CBS CBS 75692LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | CBS 72 261LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Philips S 04617 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | CBS 72 261LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- AVariations Nos. 1 Through 16
- BVariations Nos. 17 Through 30
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Goldberg Variations are there?
105 vinyl pressings of The Goldberg Variations are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1956 and 2024.
When was The Goldberg Variations first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, South Africa, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 5060, released January 3, 1956.
How do I tell if my copy of The Goldberg Variations is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 5060, BLD 7034, WL 5205, 4233) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP 35696-2A H1 and XLP 35697-4A H1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Goldberg Variations 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.
