Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1972
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral' was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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-11511-7W NM 1Side 15, Stamped
ZAL-11512-4W BCK 2BSide 16, Stamped
ZAL-11513-8W BCN 2BSide 17, Stamped
ZAL-11514-4W BBG 1Side 18, Stamped
ZAL-11511-2WRunout side A variant 1
ZAL-11512-2WRunout side B variant 1
ZAL-11513-3WRunout side C variant 1
ZAL-11514-2WRunout side D variant 1
ZAL-11511-2WA side runout, stamped
ZAL-11512-3WB side runout, stamped
ZAL-11513-4WC side runout, stamped
ZAL-11514-3WD side runout, stamped
ZAL-11511-2WA side runout, stamped
ZAL-11512-3WB side runout, stamped
ZAL-11513-4WC side runout, stamped
ZAL-11514-3WD side runout, stamped
ZAL-1151-2WSide 1 runout, variant 1
ZAL-1152-2WSide 2 runout, variant 1
ZAL-1153-3WSide 3 runout, variant 1
ZAL-1154-2WSide 4 runout, variant 1
ZAL-11511 ZKA runout
ZAL-11512 IKB runout
ZAL-11513 IKC runout
ZAL-11514 IKD runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Decca 6BB-121/2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Decca 115.151/52First yearBox Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Decca 115.151/52First yearBox Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Decca DK 11534/1-2 / Decca DK 1 534/1First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Japan | London Records L35C-3025/6First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Decca 6BB.121 / Decca 6BB.122First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Portugal | Decca P6BB 121/2First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Spain | Decca 688 121/2First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Decca 6BB.121 / Decca 6BB.122First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | UK | Decca 6BB 121/2First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1972 | UK | Decca 6BB 121/2 / Decca 6BB 121First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | UK | Decca 6BB 121/2First yearLP, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1972 | US | London Records CSP 8 / London Records CS.6933First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | London Records CSP-8First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | London Records SOL 1001/2LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-516 / London Records MFSL 2-516LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Decca 6.42940LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Spain | Decca 411 534-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Decca 411 533-1 / Historia De La Música Clásica 1ALP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Decca 1A-IVLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Decca 417 486-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1987 | Netherlands | London Records 417 486-1LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Germany | Decca 6BB 121/2LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| 2002 | Germany | Decca 6BB 121/2 / Speakers Corner Records 6BB 121/2LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Decca 6BB 121/2LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | France | Decca 591163LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.48025 DXLP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.48025 DX / Decca DK 1 534/1-2LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.48025 DX / Decca 6.48025-1LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | Decca 6BB 121/2LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca 6BB 121/2Box Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CSP 8 / London Records OS 26291LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CSP-8 / London Records OS.26290/OS26291LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | US | London Records CSP-8LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Decca LSDC-70525/6 / Jugoton LSDC-70525/6LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral' are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1972 and 2002.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is London Records CSP 8.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CSP 8, CSP-8, 6BB.121, 6BB 121/2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-11511-7W NM 1 and ZAL-11512-4W BCK 2B. 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.
