Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1970
The Five Beethoven Piano Concertos was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XRRS-5946 5S I A3Runout side A
XRRS-5947-7S I A1Runout side B
XRRS-5948-4S I A1Runout side C
XRRS 5949 3S I A1Runout side D
SOA 25038-R-1LP1
SOA 25038-R-2LP2
SOA 25038-R-3LP3
SOA 25038-R-4LP4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | RCA Red Seal SOA 25038-R/1-4First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | RCA Red Seal VCS-6417First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1971 | Spain | RCA Red Seal VCS-6417LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Red Seal SER 5614/7LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1972 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA-70448LP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal 65363LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Red Seal 65363 / RCA Red Seal 65 363LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Red Seal SFKLP 78466LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal 91 283-2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | RCA SOA 25038-R/1-4 / RCA 26.35033LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA SOA 25038-R/1-4 26.35033 / RCA Red Seal SOA 25038-R/1-4LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA SOA 25 038-R/1-4 / RCA Red Seal SOA 25038-R/1-4LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA SOA 25038-R 1/4LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | RCA SOA 25 038-R/1-4 / RCA Red Seal SOA 25038-R/1-4LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Italy | LMDS 6417(4)LP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
| ? | USA, Canada & Europe | RCA Red Seal SOA 25 038-R/1-4LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation |
16 vinyl pressings of The Five Beethoven Piano Concertos are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Germany. One of them is RCA Red Seal VCS-6417, released December 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VCS-6417, SOA 25038-R/1-4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XRRS-5946 5S I A3 and XRRS-5947-7S I A1. 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.
