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Johannes BrahmsSymphony No. 3 / Variations On A Theme By Haydn

Vinyl pressings

Symphony No. 3 / Variations On A Theme By Haydn

by Johannes Brahms · 1964

18 pressings10 countriesRomanticOrchestraTheme With VariationsSymphony

Symphony No. 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 Symphony No. 3

3 pressings came out in 1964, 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.

US

1964
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks MS 6685
Format
LP, Stereo
Runout / matrix

XXSM-78645-2B 0Runout stamped side 1

XXSM-78646-2B T oRunout stamped side 2

XSM 78645Label side 1

XSM 78646Label side 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1964
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks MS 6685
Format
LP, Stereo · Pitman pressing
Runout / matrix

XSM 78645Label side A

XSM 78646Label side B

o XXSM-78645-2D 1 P A1

o XXSM-78646-2E 2 P A1

Full details of this pressing

US

1964
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks ML 6085
Format
LP, Promo, Mono
Runout / matrix

XXLP-78643-3BSide 1 stamped

XXLP-78644-3BSide 2 stamped

XLP78643Side 1 label

XLP 78644Side 2 label

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 18 vinyl pressings

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

1960s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1964USColumbia Masterworks MS 6685First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1964USColumbia Masterworks ML 6085First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, MonoLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono
1964USColumbia Masterworks MS 6685First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1965UKColumbia SAX 2572LPLP
1965UKColumbia 33CX 1933LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1970s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1977JapanCBS/Sony 13AC 203LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978SpainCBS S 61924LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1978UK & FranceCBS Classics S CBS 61924LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
1980s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1982CanadaCBS MY 37777LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
1982EuropeCBS 60164LP, Album, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · Promo
1982USCBS MY 37777LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
Year unknown7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaCBS Odyssey ODA 5152LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?GermanyEpic BC 1350 / Epic MS 6685LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?JapanCBS/Sony SONC 10182LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?NetherlandsEpic 82001LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?NetherlandsEpic S 82001LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks MS 6685LP, Repress, StereoLP, Repress, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks MS 6685LP, Repress, StereoLP, Repress, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90
  2. B2Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op. 56a17:20

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 are there?

18 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1964 and 1982.

When was Symphony No. 3 first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 6685.

How do I tell if my copy of Symphony No. 3 is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 6685, ML 6085) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXSM-78645-2B 0 and XXSM-78646-2B T o. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Symphony No. 3 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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