Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1966
Weihnachts-Oratorium, Chöre Und Arien was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1966, 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.
136498-2 A 3 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K AHRunout side A
136498-4 B 2 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K ANRunout side B
-136 498 ALabel side A
-136 498 BLabel side B
136498-2 A 3 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K AHRunout side A
136498-4 B 2 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K ANRunout side B
-136 498 ALabel side A
-136 498 BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 498First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 498LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 498 SLPEM / Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 498First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 498 SLPEM / Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 498First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 369--10LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Deutsche Grammophon 61 653LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2538 131LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2538 131LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 498 / Deutsche Grammophon 136 498 SLPEMLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 369LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 135 097LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | Deutsche Grammophon MG 2132LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 369LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Weihnachts-Oratorium, Chöre Und Arien are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1966 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in Germany. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 136 498 SLPEM, released October 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 136 498 SLPEM, 136 498) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 136498-2 A 3 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K AH and 136498-4 B 2 ℗ 1966 F6 ◇K AN. 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.
