Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1971
Fidelio was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
2YRA.9137Label - side A, in parentheses
2YRA.9138Label - side B, in parentheses
2YRA.9139Label - side C, in parentheses
2YRA.9140Label - side D, in parentheses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 954 / His Master's Voice SLS 954/3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | US | Angel Records SCL-3773First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 1 12 2061-63LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK & Europe | His Master's Voice SLS 5231 / His Master's Voice 0C 163-43 064/5LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1983 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 167-43064/5LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1988 | Germany | His Master's Voice 7 69290 1LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | His Master's Voice SLS 954 / His Master's Voice 0C 163 ◦ 02125-7LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 1 C 165-02125/7 X / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 165-02125/7 XLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | HÖR ZU 1 C 197-02 125/27 / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 197-02 125/27LP, Reissue, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Reissue, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 66 781 / His Master's Voice 1 C 165-02 125/27LP, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited, Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited, Club edition |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 157-02 125/27LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 1 C 165-02125/7 X / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 165-02125/7 XLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Japan | Angel Records AA-9627CLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records SCL-3773LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
14 vinyl pressings of Fidelio are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US. One of them is His Master's Voice SLS 954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLS 954, SCL-3773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YRA.9137 and 2YRA.9138. 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.
