Am I missing something
I agree that the Variations and Fugue on a theme of Handel is truly breathtaking (particularly the last minute or so of the fugue), even moreso than the Paganini variations IMO (also very recomended). His later works are also worth it.I'd recomend bying the box set of Julius Katchen playing the complete solo works (Decca). Superb playing and very well priced. Definately worth it.
As to Brahms solo piano music, there are, perhaps, two camps: those who revere his early/middle works; and those who consider his later works the most transcendent thing since Moses.I am of the former camp (early/middle), and I would recommend:Piano Sonatas 2 and 3; Handel Variations;Paganini Variations;Schumann Variations; andVariations on an Original Theme.Overall, I think the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, op. 24, is superlatively sublime.