Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1963
Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat, Op. 73 "Emperor" was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1963, 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.
SR- 90321A -RFR-3 1SRunout side A variant 1
SR-90321B -RFR-3 P17 FF IRunout side B variant 1
SR-90321A-RFR-1 FF P126Runout side A variant 2
SR-90321B-RFR-1 P126 A1 FFRunout side B variant 2
SR-90321A-RFR-1 FF P126Etched side A
SR-90321B-RFR-1 P126Etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | New Zealand | Mercury Living Presence MG50321First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Philips SGL5847 / Philips 837 843 GYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Mercury Living Presence MG50321First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR90321 / Mercury Living Presence SR90321First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR90321 / Mercury Living Presence SR90321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Mercury 131.006 MSYLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 6531 004LP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 839 535 VGYLP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 610 900 VLLP | LP |
| ? | US | Mercury SR90321 / Mercury Living Presence SR90321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat, Op. 73 "Emperor" are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, New Zealand. One of them is Mercury SR90321, released March 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90321, MG50321, SGL5847) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR- 90321A -RFR-3 1S and SR-90321B -RFR-3 P17 FF I. 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.
