Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1953
Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor", E Flat Major,… was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1953, the album's first year. 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.
E3KL 7903 2BC MMS45 PT1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
MMS 45 PT 2 E3KL 7904 1D ARunout side B, etched, variant 1
E3KL-7003 2DR A2A RRunout side A, etched, variant 2
E3KL 7904 2CR MMS 45 PT.2 IRunout side B, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Unknown | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45First yearLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | Canada | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | France | Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS-45LP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | Germany | Concert Hall MMS-45LP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-4510", Mono · Mono | 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-4510", Mono · Mono | 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS 45 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Concert Hall MMS 45 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | The Classics Club Collector 510", 33 ⅓ RPM | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| ? | US | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | US | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
14 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor", E Flat Major,… are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1953. One of them is Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-45.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MMS-45) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E3KL 7903 2BC MMS45 PT1 and MMS 45 PT 2 E3KL 7904 1D A. 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.
