US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M 31798
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MAL-31798-A1Side A runout, var. 1
MBL-31798-A1Side B runout, var. 1
MAL-31798-1ESide A runout, var. 2
MBL-31798-1BSide B runout, var. 2
Vinyl pressings
The Four Seasons
by Pinchas Zukerman · 1973
31 pressings13 countriesBaroqueString InstrumentConcertoProgram Music
The Four Seasons 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.
How to spot a first pressing of The Four Seasons
12 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
US
February 1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks MQ 31798
- Format
- LP, Album, Quadraphonic
- Runout / matrix
Q AL-31798-1B 1T MRunout Side A (stamped exc 1T,M - etched)
Q BL 31798-1A MRunout Side B (stamped)
QAL 31798Side 1 Label
QBL 31798Side 2 Label
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Columbia Masterworks M 31798
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic
- Runout / matrix
MQAL-31798-1A 0 2Runout Side A {stamped}
MQAL-31798-1A 0 2Runout Side B {stamped}
UK
1973- Label and catalog number
- CBS 73097CBS S 73097
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
S 73097 A1 CSide A
S 73097 B2 ESide B
Argentina
1973- Label and catalog number
- CBS 5613
- Format
- LP, Stereo
Argentina
1973- Label and catalog number
- CBS 80.320
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 31 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s19 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | CBS 5613First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Argentina | CBS 80.320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR235560 / CBS SBR 235560First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks M 31798First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS 73 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | CBS SQ 73097First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA-6First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Columbia Masterworks SBR 475323First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS 73097 / CBS S 73097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31798First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31798First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks MQ 31798First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | France | CBS CBS 76097LP | LP |
| 1974 | France | CBS CBS 76097LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | CBS CBS 76097LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
1980s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | CBS CBS 60010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | CBS MY 38478LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | CBS 38478LP | LP |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38478LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38478LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | CBS MY 38478LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | CBS 111507LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | CBS CBS 60010LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | CBS 73097LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony SOCO 27LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA 243LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M 31798LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
Tracklist
- Spring = "La Primavera" Concerto In E Major, Op. 8, No. 1
- Summer = "L'Estate" Concerto In G Minor, Op. 8, No. 2
- Autumn = "L'Autunno" Concerto In F Major, Op. 8, No. 3
- Winter = "L'Inverno" Concerto In F Minor, Op. 8, No. 4
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Four Seasons are there?
31 vinyl pressings of The Four Seasons are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 1984.
When was The Four Seasons first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M 31798.
How do I tell if my copy of The Four Seasons is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 31798, MQ 31798, 73097, 5613) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAL-31798-A1 and MBL-31798-A1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Four Seasons on vinyl worth?
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.