Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1973
The Five Piano Concertos was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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 11731-2W 3C KWSide A runout, variant 1
ZAL 11732-2W 2P NNSide B runout, variant 1
ZAL 11733-2W 2D IUSide C runout, variant 1
ZAL 11734-2W 3C MBSide D runout, variant 1
ZAL 11731 To 8
ZAL-11731-2Wstamped, Side A
ZAL-11732-2Wstamped, Side B
ZAL-11733-2Wstamped, Side C
ZAL-11734-2Wstamped, Side D
Ⓟ 1973 ZAL-11731-II A-B-II Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
Ⓟ 1973 ZAL-11732-IV A-B-II Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
Ⓟ 1973 ZAL-11733-I A-B-II Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
Ⓟ 1973 ZAL-11734-II A-B-II Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
ZAL 12649 (SDLB 3903) LSide A Label
ZAL 12650 (SDLB 3904) LSide B Label
ZAL 11731 (SDLB 3763) LSide C Label
ZAL 12652 (SDLB 3906) LSide D Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Decca 26 010-9LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1973 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Decca SKB 25094-D/1-4First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | Japan | London Records SL 1073-6First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1973 | Spain | Decca SXL 6594-7First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SXLG 6594-7First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | US | London Records CSA 2404 / London Records 70-5634LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | London Records R215010First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | US | London Records CSA 2404First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | US | London Records CSA 2404First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1975 | Argentina | London Records 8075/8LP | LP |
| 1975 | Spain | Decca SXL 6594/7 / Decca SXL 6594LP, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1976 | Germany | Decca 6.35120LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35120LP, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35120LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Decca SXLG 6594-7LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | London Records CSA 2404LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
16 vinyl pressings of The Five Piano Concertos are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Germany, Austria, & Switzerland, Japan and more. One of them is Decca SXLG 6594-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXLG 6594-7, R215010, CSA 2404, SKB 25094-D/1-4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL 11731-2W 3C KW and ZAL 11732-2W 2P NN. 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.
