The 2021 ALDAs (Avoid Like Death Awards) Are Here!

These are, without doubt, the lowest of the low, the sour cream of the crop of 2021 releases. Get out your ratchets, and let's celebrate: The White Scarf of Irredeemable Chutzpah Recipients: Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 (Currentzis/Sony) Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”) (Ensemble Cristofori/Schoonderwoerd/AVI) The Scarlet Scarf of Shame Recipients: Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 “Romantic” (Thielemann/Sony) Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” (Roth/Harmonia Mundi) The Taupe Scarf of Turpitude Recipients: DG Beethoven New Essential Complete Edition Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 “Romantic” (Hruša/Accentus) The Black Scarf of Lingering Stench Recipient: Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 (Petrenko/Lawo) Congratulations to all the winners--or losers--or whatever.