Favorite Recordings of Beethoven by Lesser Known Pianists?

[swilliams002]

I was wondering if anyone would like to share their favorite recordings of Beethoven's piano sonatas by lesser known pianists (i.e., NOT Gilels, Richter, Barenboim, etc.)

Irina Mejoueva, a Russian-born pianist based in Japan, has a really good recording of the 32. She has actually recorded the cycle twice, but I can't find the first recording on YouTube. She's now one of my favorite pianists for Beethoven.

(This is my playlist, and it's not complete, since I still have to add a lot of the sonatas. There was a complete playlist up on YouTube until just a few days ago, but now it's gone. So that's why I'm trying to collect all of the videos again.)

[lelle]

Not sure I have heard many cycles by lesser known pianists that I have really liked. I like Schiff's Beethoven sonatas, but he's not really a lesser known pianist, is he? I also enjoy hearing what Brautigam does on the fortepiano, even if I don't always agree with him (I prefer his Mozart).

[swilliams002]

Not sure I have heard many cycles by lesser known pianists that I have really liked. I like Schiff's Beethoven sonatas, but he's not really a lesser known pianist, is he? I also enjoy hearing what Brautigam does on the fortepiano, even if I don't always agree with him (I prefer his Mozart).

I'll have to check out Brautigam. Mejoueva's Beethoven is truly first class, as with all of her recordings. Her playing is very polished and while there are not many "surprises," she still has some interesting and beautiful interpretations.

[swilliams002]

I could also add Marta Czech to this list. I have not listened to all of her recordings of the sonatas, but I enjoy what I have heard. The tempi seem to be generally slower, although perhaps lacking some of the passion of some of Beethoven's more famous interpreters.