Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violinkonzerte = Violin Concertos (No.3 G-dur = G Major KV 216 · No.5 A-dur = A Major KV 219)

About this record

The 1978 Deutsche Grammophon European pressing (catalogue 2531 049) of Mutter and Karajan's Mozart violin concertos carries four distinct matrix codes across its sides, marking it as a West German pressing printed by Neef in Wittingen with the embossed PRS Hannover stamp. Community ownership stands at 1263 copies against 101 want-list entries, a ratio that reflects steady availability rather than scarcity.

The price floor sits at 0.8 USD for the lowest-condition copy on the market, yet a Mint example commands 32.55 USD—a spread driven entirely by the classical collector's demand for surface cleanliness and groove integrity.

What drives its value

Condition dominates pricing on this 1978 Deutsche Grammophon release. A Mint copy reaches 32.55 USD, while NM drops to 29.12 USD, VG+ to 22.27 USD, and VG to 15.42 USD—each grade reflecting the sensitivity of classical recordings to surface noise.

The market holds 118 copies for sale, indicating moderate liquidity; the lowest asking price is 0.8 USD, suggesting some stock is distressed or heavily played. Against 1263 community owners and only 101 want entries, this pressing is neither rare nor in acute demand.

The 1978 European issue competes with a 2026 reissue on the same label and catalogue number, which has likely dampened collector urgency for the original. Karajan's reputation and Mutter's prominence as soloist sustain baseline interest, but the pressing itself is not a sought variant.

How to appraise this pressing

Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number 2531 049 on the spine and label, printed in West Germany by Neef, Wittingen. The back cover bears the copyright notice "℗ 1978 Polydor International GmbH" and the embossed stamp "PRS Hannover"—this stamp distinguishes it from a similar release without it.

The four matrix codes in the dead wax are: Side 1 "2 S1 320 1· 7C D A" and "2 S2 320 1· 1A B Z"; Side 2 "S 1 = 4 320 1 A N" and "S 2 = 3 320 1 0·2A·5 A C". Some copies carry a sticker noting "Eine Aufnahme aus der Berliner Philharmonie" (recorded at the Berliner Philharmonie).

Grade by examining both sides for hairline scratches, dust in the grooves, and label condition; classical pressings show wear quickly under play. The cadenza copyright line "© 1929, Simrock, Berlin" appears in the liner notes.

Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.