Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1959
Symphony 5 was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. 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 1959, 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-4288-1KRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4289-1KRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4288Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4289Matrix on label - side B
ARL-4288-1A BT 21Side A Runout
ARL-4289-1A BU ET 21Side B Runout
ARL.4288Side A Label (Inverted)
ARL.4289Side B Label (Inverted)
ARL.4288Side A Label (Inverted)
ARL.4289Side B Label (Inverted)
ZAL-4288-1KRunout Side A, Stamped
ZAL-4289-1KRunout Side B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Spain | Decca SXL 2124First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5510 / Decca LXT.5510First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5510 / Decca LXT.5510First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records CS6092 / London Records CS 6092First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2124 / Decca SXL.2124First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Decca LXT 5.510LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2124 / Decca SXL.2124LP | LP |
| 1966 | Spain | Decca SXL 2124LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | London Records CS 6092 / London Records CS6092LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Germany | Decca SMD 1308LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Decca SMD 1308 / Decca 6.41618 ANLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | London Records JL 41016LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Decca 6.41618LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Netherlands | London Records JL 41016LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Decca VIV 24LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Decca 6.41618 AGLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2124LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Hungary | Hungaroton SLPXL 31021 / Decca Viva! SLPXL 31021LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2124 / Decca SXL.2124LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2124 / Decca SXL.2124LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | London Records CM 9011 / London Records LL.3113LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6092LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Symphony 5 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1959 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, Spain. One of them is Decca SXL 2124, released November 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2124, LXT 5510, CS6092) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4288-1K and ZAL-4289-1K. 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.
