Vinyl pressings
by Leonard Bernstein · 1965
Piano Concerto / Music For The Theatre was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, 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.
XXSM-78811-1B Λ I III oRunout, side A / stamped [except I III]
XXSM-78812-1B T C I oRunout, side B / stamped [except I]
XSM 78811Matrix on label side A
XSM 78812Matrix on label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | UK | CBS 72352First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | CBS SBRG 72352First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 6098LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6698LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6698LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6698LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6698 / CBS Masterworks MS 6698LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 6098LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 6098LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto / Music For The Theatre are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 6698.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 6698, 72352, SBRG 72352) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXSM-78811-1B Λ I III o and XXSM-78812-1B T C I o. 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.
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