I suppose the issue comes down to a subjective debate concerning personal taste. One thing I will debate, however, is your comment that the fact that they are successful somehow proves their respective artistic achievements. Although this is often the case, it also frequently occurs that talent and fame do NOT coincide.
Ok. But I think in the classical field where the appeal of it hasn't boiled down to sex appeal (like most pop music), it's still extroardinarily hard to make it! And the select few that do obviously have something new/different/personal to say about each work. I guess my arguement is that world famous/respected classical musicians aren't world famous for playing badly.
Although Glenn said he only recorded the Mozart Sonatas to show how bad they are, the recordings are still pure genius.
Although it's common knowledge that the sonata's aren't his best works, they do contain some great music - otherwise they would not get played. Compare to his Overture, Allemande and Courante - Mozart going through a transitional stage and definitley not his greatest stuff, has barely any recordings (none that I know about anyhow). Generally each sonata has 1 weak movement, which is no excuse to can them. The amin and last dmaj are masterworks, the 'Durnitz' when compared to other sonatas' of it's time is far ahead.
I haven't heard Gould's recordings but I'm sure if one hate's a piece and want's to show it off, one would be inclined to severley augment it's defects. And Gould being the eccentric that he was....
Topic: Mozart sonata