Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1982
The Goldberg Variations was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
DAL 37779-1EH COLUMBIA NY 0 PSide 1 runout
DBL 37779-1DB COLUMBIA NY PSide 2 runout
DAL 37779-1GJSide 1 runout
DBL 37779-1ECSide 2 runout
(F+TR) DAL 37779-G1B G1Var. 1 Side A
(H-AP) DBL-37779-G1B G1AC G1 C18Var. 1 Side B
(FXAP) DAL 37778 - G1AB G1 A5Var 2 Side A
(H·AP) DBL–37779-G1B G1AC D G1 C13Var 2 Side B
(H-MP) DAL-37779 G1A DG1Side A, etched
(H-MP) DBL-37779 G1B DG1Side B, etched
DAL 37779-1JDSide 1, Hand Etched
DBL 37779 G1BSide 2, Hand Etched
DAL 37779-IJE A7 GI 0Side 1, Hand Etched, Var 2
DBL-37779-1EC COLUMBIA NYSide 2, Stamped, Var 2
DAL-37779-1AK 1T COLUMBIA NY BRunout A - variation 1
1T DBL 37779-1C COLUMBIA NYRunout B - variation 1
DAL-37779-1K T1 COLUMBIA NY D7Runout A - variation 2
1T DBL 37779-1C o COLUMBIA NYRunout B - variation 1
G1 DAL 37779-1EB COLUMBIA NY E4Side A stamped, etched
G1 DBL 37779-1CA C4Side B etched
CXDAL 53779Side A label
CXDBL 53779Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Europe | CBS Masterworks D 37779 / CBS Masterworks IM 37779First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS Masterworks D 37779 / CBS Masterworks IM 37779First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Eterna Digital Recording 7 25 153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | CBS Masterworks Digital D 37779 / CBS Masterworks D 37779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | CBS Masterworks D 37779 / CBS Masterworks D 37 779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Israel | CBS Masterworks Digital D 37779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AC 1608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | CBS Masterworks CBS CL 43 455 5 / CBS Masterworks Digital IM 37779LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | US | CBS Masterworks Digital 1P 7613LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | US | CBS Masterworks IM 37779First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | CBS Masterworks Digital IM 37779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | CBS Masterworks Digital IM 37779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | CBS Masterworks IM 37779First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | CBS Masterworks IM 37779First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Canada | CBS Masterworks Digital IM 37779 / CBS Masterworks Digital CDN-70First yearLP, Album, LP, Promo, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, LP, Promo, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Promo, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Europe | Sony BMG Music Entertainment 88697148531 / CBS Masterworks IM 37779LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK, Europe & US | Sony Classical 88875102811 / CBS Masterworks M 37779LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | US | Analog Spark IM 37779LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Eterna 7 29 153LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA 772LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony 32AC 1668LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA 576LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS Masterworks Digital D 37779 / CBS Masterworks D 37779LP, Album | LP, Album |
32 vinyl pressings of The Goldberg Variations are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, Europe, German Democratic Republic (GDR) and more. One of them is CBS Masterworks Digital IM 37779, released September 2, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IM 37779, D 37779, 7 25 153, 28AC 1608) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DAL 37779-1EH COLUMBIA NY 0 P and DBL 37779-1DB COLUMBIA NY P. 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.
