UK
October 1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT 5508
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ARL.4290
ARL.4291
Ludwig van BeethovenSymphony 7
Vinyl pressings
Symphony 7
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1959
23 pressings10 countriesClassicalRomanticOrchestraSymphony
Symphony 7 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Symphony 7
6 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
UK
November 1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca SXL 2121Decca SXL.2121
- Format
- LP, Stereo · ED1 Scalloped Flipback
- Runout / matrix
ZAL-4290-3K B [.] ET 1Side A, runout
ZAL-4291-2K A RT 1Side B, runout
ZAL.4290Side A, label, upside down
ZAL.4291Side B, label, upside down
UK
November 1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca SXL 2121Decca SXL.2121
- Format
- LP, Stereo · ED1 Scalloped Flip Back
- Runout / matrix
ZAL-4290-3K UC ⵎT 1Runout side A, variant 1
ZAL-4291-2K BK ⵎT 21 SMRunout side B, variant 1
ZAL-4290-3K BA 1] 21 S[.]Runout side A, variant 2
ZAL-4291-2K A RT 1Runout side B, variant 2
Germany
November 1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca SXL 2121
- Format
- LP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
CA ZAL-4290-3KRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
CA ZAL-4291-2KRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A,B
ZAL 4290Matrix on label - side A
Australia
1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXTA-5508
- Format
- LP, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ARL-4290-1ARunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-4291-1ARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
Spain
1959- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT 5508
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ARL.4290Label A
ARL.4291Label B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Australia | Decca LXTA-5508First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca LXT 5508First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5508First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Decca SXL 2121First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2121 / Decca SXL.2121First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2121 / Decca SXL.2121First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
1960s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | London Records CS6093LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | London Records CS 6093LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Spain | Decca SXL 2121LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1967 | France | Decca SXL 2121LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | London Records CS6777LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | London Records JL 41054LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records K18C-8223LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Netherlands | London Records JL 41054LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
Year unknown9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | London Records LLC 5181LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Disques Decca LXT 5508LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1090LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.42295 AHLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1090LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2121 / Decca SXL.2121LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2121 / Decca SXL.2121LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CM 9012 / London Records LL.3114LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records CS6777 / London Records CS 6777LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Symphony 7 are there?
23 vinyl pressings of Symphony 7 are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1959 and 1982.
When was Symphony 7 first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, Germany, Australia, Spain. One of them is Decca LXT 5508, released October 1959.
How do I tell if my copy of Symphony 7 is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LXT 5508, SXL 2121, LXTA-5508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL.4290 and ARL.4291. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Symphony 7 on vinyl worth?
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.
