Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1976
Piano Concerto No. 4 was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
LF AA 9500 254 1Y3 670 1' Ɔ 03Runout (Stamped) Side A
LF AA 9500 254 2Y2 670 1'3 03Runout (Stamped) Side B
9500 254.1 YLabel Side A
9500 254.2 YLabel Side B
LF AA 9500 254 1Y3 670Runout (Stamped) Side A
LF AA 9500 254 2Y2 670Runout (Stamped) Side B
9500 254.1 YLabel Side A
9500 254.2 YLabel Side B
LF AA 9500 254 1Y3 670Side 1 Runout Stamped
LF AA9500 254 2Y2 670Side 2 Runout Stamped
* AA 9500 254 1Y4 Ⓟ 1976 670 11Runout side A
AA 9500 254 2Y3 670 15Runout side B
6597 020.1Label side A
6597 020.2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Austria | Philips 38222LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | Europe | Philips 9500 254First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | Philips 9500 254First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Philips 9500 254First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Switzerland | Ex Libris PH 6858 874First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips X-7862LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Brazil | Philips 9500 254LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Philips Classics 416 658-1LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Philips 38 222LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Europe | Philips Classics 416 658-1LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Philips 9500 254LP | LP |
11 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 4 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Europe, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland. One of them is Philips 9500 254.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9500 254, PH 6858 874) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LF AA 9500 254 1Y3 670 1' Ɔ 03 and LF AA 9500 254 2Y2 670 1'3 03. 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.
