Vinyl pressings
by Lazar Berman · 1977
Piano Sonatas 1 & 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
2YRM 1459 - 2Runout stamped side A
2YRM 1460 - 1Runout stamped side B
2YRM.1459Label - Side A
2YRM.1460Label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | UK | Melodiya / His Master's Voice ASD 3396 / Melodiya / His Master's Voice ASD. 3396First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Melodiya / His Master's Voice ASD 3396 / Melodiya / His Master's Voice 0C 063-99 303First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10—09315-16First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10—09315-16First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 34565 / Columbia / Melodiya M 34565LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 34565 / Мелодия M 34565LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Melodia Eterna 8 27 181LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 219LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Melodiya / La Voce Del Padrone 3C 063 - 99303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Australia | World Record Club R-05854 / World Record Club R 05854LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С10-09315-16LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Russia | Мелодия С10-09315-16 / Russian Disc С10-09315-16LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | USSR | Мелодия С10 09315-6 / Мелодия C10-09315-16LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия 33С10-09315-16LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия 33 С10-09315-6(а)LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия 33 С10-09315-16LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Piano Sonatas 1 & 3 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, USSR. One of them is Melodiya / His Master's Voice ASD 3396.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ASD 3396, 33 С 10—09315-16) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YRM 1459 - 2 and 2YRM 1460 - 1. 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.
