US
1953- Label and catalog number
- The Bach Guild BG 536
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
Johann Sebastian BachThe Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Vinyl pressings
The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1953
12 pressings3 countriesBaroqueTheme With VariationsHarpsichordSolo
The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. 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, BWV 988
1 pressing came out in 1953, 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 12 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | US | The Bach Guild BG 536First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1960s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Germany | Vanguard SRV-175SDLP | LP |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard SRV-175SDLP | LP |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard SRV-175LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard SRV-175SDLP | LP |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard SRV-175SDLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard SRV-175LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | The Bach Guild HM 84LP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Amadeo AVRS 6109LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Philips GL5791LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Vanguard PVL 7010LP | LP |
| ? | US | Vanguard SRV-175SDLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
- A1Aria and Variations 1-15
- B1Variations 16-30 and Aria da capo
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 are there?
12 vinyl pressings of The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1953 and 1987.
When was The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US. One of them is The Bach Guild BG 536.
How do I tell if my copy of The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BG 536) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 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.
