I also like this sonata very much, and I played it last year. The second movement was an interpretive problem I cant say I ever solved.
I heard four recordings - Schnabel, Kempff, Goode, and Gould.
Schnabel's was quite messy. What I remember about this is that he played the first movement unusually fast, and it was quite convincing.
Kempff's recording is maybe the most straight ahead and "normal" I found his first movement to be rather slow, but his second movement was very well crafted, with great attention to detail.
Goode's recording was my favorite. His beethoven always strikes me as very sane and "healthy". His third movement I especially liked, he really captured the joie de vivre that makes that movement work.
Goulds recording was convincing, although bizarre, especially his incredibly slow second movement. Although many of beethoven markings are ignored (consciously I'm sure), he still
captures the essence of every movement.
In the end though, I think your idea of finding an ideal recording is a faulty one.
When learning a piece, I try either to listen to no recordings or several. If you only listen to one, you end up putting way too much stock in one persons interpretation. They way they play it becomes "normal" to your ear, and you have no way of evaluating it, unless you have already learned the piece to a high enough level that you can really stand behind your own ideas. I believe this closes off possible avenues of interpretation. Also, for instance in Gould's case part of the enjoyment of listening is realizing just how radical his interpretations are. If they are the only recording you have heard, thats dangerous and misleading, but if they are one of many, then they can illuminate new possibilities. This also applies to Schnabel. he recorded his set of sonatas before many of todays performing traditions were set in stone, and thus provides a fresh perspective. For me listening to these two is almost essential.
So I guess in the end, i would say, try to find a library where you can take out recordings, Otherwise the cost of listening to more than a couple will be prohibitive. Luckily for me my school has an incredible music library, but i would think most public librarys would have at least one recording of the sonatas.
Topic: Beethoven Sonata Op.14 No.2