Vinyl pressings
by Rudolf Serkin · 1966
Piano Sonata In A Major was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 4 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.
XXSM-112398-3ASide A runout, variant 1
XXSM-112399 2ESide B runout, variant 1
o XXSM112398-2A p A3Side A runout, variant 2
O XXSM112399-2A p 3ASide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Argentina | Columbia Masterworks Monoaural 4461First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6849First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | CBS 72432First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6849First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | France | CBS S 75432LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS 61645LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS 61645LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | CBS 61645LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Unknown | CBS Masterworks MP39055LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS MP 39055LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | CBS Masterworks 4461LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | CBS S 72432 / CBS MS 6849LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | CBS S 72432LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6849LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Piano Sonata In A Major are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1966 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Argentina, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 6849, released April 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 6849, 72432, Monoaural 4461) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXSM-112398-3A and XXSM-112399 2E. 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.
