Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1958
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ZAL-4041-1E BI RT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4042-1E CG RT C 1 CARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4041Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4042Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4041-1E CA 1 2 R CSide A (Stamped)
ZAL-4042-3K 1 R7Side B (Stamped)
CA ZAL–4041–1E 51Runout A, stamped
ZAL–4042–3K 1Runout B, stamped
ZAL.4041Label A
ZAL.4042Label B
ZAL-4041-2GR 6 1 SW KTSide A (Stamped)
ZAL-4042-5GR 1 D D J7Side B (Stamped)
ZAL-4041-1ERunout side A - machine stamped
ZAL-4042-1ERunout side B - machine stamped
ZAL.4041Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4042Matrix on label - side B
CA ZAL-4041-1ERunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
CA ZAL-4042-1ERunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL 4041Matrix on label - side A
ZAL 4042Matrix 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Germany | Decca SXL 2010 / Decca SXL.2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2010 / Decca SXL.2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | Germany | Decca SXL 2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2010 / Decca SXL.2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | US | London Records CS 6054First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca LXT 5482 / Discos Decca LXT 5482LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5482LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5482 / Decca LXT.5482LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Australia | Decca LXTA 5482 / Decca LXTA-5482LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | London Records CM 9004LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1965 | Spain | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| 1969 | Spain | Decca SXL 2010LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1976 | South Korea | Decca SD RD 624(SXL 2010)LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.41870 ANLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Discos London LLC-17894LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2010 / Decca SXLA-2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 117.023 BLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.41870 / Decca 6.41870 AHLP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca LXT 2629LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Decca SXL 2010 / Decca SXL.2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Switzerland | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Switzerland | Ex Libris EL 16753 / Ex Libris 16.41 260LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Switzerland | Decca SXL 2010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Switzerland | Decca SXL 2010LP | LP |
| ? | Switzerland | Decca SXL 2010LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6054LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1958 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Decca SXL 2010, released September 15, 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2010, CS 6054) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4041-1E BI RT 1 and ZAL-4042-1E CG RT C 1 CA. 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.
