And here they are, the ten worst recordings of 2023, neatly arranged for our disapproval:
ALDA (Avoid Like Death Awards) 2023
The White Scarf of Irredeemable Chutzpah Recipients:
Schumann: Complete Symphonies. Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim (cond.) DG
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5. Vienna Philhamonic, Christian Thielemann (cond.) Sony
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 “Italian” (two versions). Le Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall (cond.) Alia Vox
The Scarlet Scarf of Shame Recipients:
Violin Sonatas (Beethoven, Schumann, Franck). Martha Argerich (piano), Renaud Capuçon (violin) DG
Handel: Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks. B’Rock Orchestra, Dmitry Sinkovsky (cond.) Pentatone
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé. Sinfonia of London, John Wilson (cond.) Chandos
The Taupe Scarf of Turpitude Recipients:
Roger Norrington: The Complete Erato Recordings
Holst: The Planets. Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (cond.) BR Klassik
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7. London Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle (cond.) LSO
The Black Scarf of Lingering Stench Recipient:
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies. Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Zubin Mehta (cond.) Dynamic
