Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1980
Violin Concerto was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
DZAL 16573 1G ED 111 151Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
DZAL 16574 2G ED 1 0 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
DZAL 16573Matrix on label - side A
DZAL 16574Matrix on label - side B
DZAL 16573 1G ED 1 151Runout side A, variant 1
DZAL 16574 2G ED 1Runout side B, variant 1
DZAL 16573 1G ED 2 1 151Runout side A, variant 2
DZAL 16574 2G 3 ED 1 11Runout side B, variant 2
DZAL 16573Matrix on label - side A
DZAL 16574Matrix on label - side B
DZAL 16573 1G ED 1 2 3Side A - stamped - may vary
DZAL 16574 2G ED 1 2 4Side B - stamped - may vary
DZAL 16573 1G ED 1 2Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
DZAL 16574 2G ED 1 5 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
6.42 606-01-1Matrix on label - side A
6.42 606-01-2Matrix on label - side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | London Records LDR 10010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Decca 6.42606 AZFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Decca SXDLI 7508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | London Records SLA 1244First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Japan | London Records L25C-8012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | London Records L25C-3029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Decca SXDL 7508First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | UK | Decca SXDL 7508First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Decca SXDL 7508First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Decca SXDL 7508First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | London Records LDR 10010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Decca SXDL 7508LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | London Records 50 001LP | LP |
| 1982 | South Korea | Decca SXDL 7508 / SEL - R-D 519LP | LP |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Decca 411 251-1LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | London Records L20C-2022LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXDL 7508 / Decca 6.42606 AZ DMRLP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Violin Concerto are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Netherlands, US, UK, Canada and more. One of them is Decca SXDL 7508, released May 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXDL 7508, LDR 10010, 6.42606 AZ, SXDLI 7508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DZAL 16573 1G ED 111 151 and DZAL 16574 2G ED 1 0 1. 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.
