Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

asin: B000003EZJ binding: Audio CD list price: $10.98 USD amazon price: $70.11 USD

Vladimir Horowitz's coiled virtuosity and volatile temperament suit the heroic side of Beethoven's middle-period output. The legendary pianist recorded the Moonlight and Waldstein Sonatas in the comfort of his Manhattan living room. His incisive power in the finales and artful voicing in the Moonlight's famous Adagio easily transcend the dry and constricted mono engineering. The Appasionata, on the other hand, was taped at Carnegie Hall in stereo. A tinge of caution hovers over the outer movements, in comparison with the pianist's equally febrile but longer-limbed 1972 remake available on Sony. Perhaps Beethoven was ultimately an acquired rather than a natural affinity for Horowitz, yet dozens of so-called Beethoven specialists would give their eyeteeth for one speck of Horowitz's individuality. --Jed Distler

asin: B000001GXB binding: Audio CD list price: $23.98 USD amazon price: $20.99 USD

Pollini's performances of Beethoven's last five piano sonatas have assumed almost legendary status, and this reissue at midprice in improved sound ought to win them many new friends. Sometimes considered a cold interpreter, Pollini here pays scrupulous attention to Beethoven's instructions, an attention that never gets in the way of sincere expression. There's a lot to be said for approaching this music with a maximum of clarity and simplicity, and a minimum of Romantic panting and heaving. In fact, Beethoven's instructions are so detailed, and the music itself is often so elaborately developed, that it's all most pianists can do to play it as he wrote it. Pollini does that, and much more. --David Hurwitz