Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1964
The Four Overtures For Fidelio was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 1964, 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.
& YAX-X-1100-B2 <IAM>Runout side A complete variant 1
& YAX-X-1101-B4 <IAM>Runout side B complete variant 1
& YAX-X-1100-A 5 <IAM>Runout side A complete variant 2
& YAX-X-1101-A7 <IAM>Runout side B complete variant 2
YAX-X-1100-2label, Side A
YAX-X-1101-2label, Side B
YAX 1100-2 GD 2Side A
YAX 1101-2 H 1Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Angel Records S. 36209First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | Columbia SAX 2542First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | Columbia 33CX 1902First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Columbia SAX 2542First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Angel Records S 36209 / Angel Records S. 36209First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo LALP 693LP | LP |
| 1965 | Australia | Columbia SAXO-2542LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Columbia CCA 1016LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Columbia SAXF1016LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Columbia FCX 446LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Angel Records AA-8484LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Columbia SAX 2542LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records S 36209LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Seraphim S-60261LP | LP |
| ? | US | Angel Records S 36209LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Four Overtures For Fidelio are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Angel Records S 36209, released October 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S 36209, SAX 2542, 33CX 1902, S. 36209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, & YAX-X-1100-B2 <IAM> and & YAX-X-1101-B4 <IAM>. 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.
