Speaking of performance, right now definitely the only version to hear on CD is Marc-Andre Hamelin's. However I was recently in Germany, and heard Boris Berezovsky play about 45 minutes alternating between the original Chopin etudes, and then one or more of the Godowsky versions of the same etude. I'm told that recently he made a DVD and probably a CD performance, which will come out soon. Take my word for it, that when it does, his performance will be the one to buy. he leaves Marc Andre in the Dust.
Walter Ramsey
Thanks for bringing to the fore the performance aspect of it, but I could not disagree more strongly about Hamelin's being the only version to hear on CD. You should not say stuff like that. Have you heard Hatto or Sherbakov's integrale? Very much worth listening to. And if you go to selections, well, Bolet's version is hardly not worth listening too (I would rather characterize it a life-changing, illuminating, inspiring; perhaps that's what you need). Ian Hobson and Berezovsky (I am glad you got to hear him live) and Libetta play this repertoire extraordinarily well too. david Saperton is a necessary listening for anyone interested in this repertoire.
Stay away from Magde's recording, though. I may be able to make a recording like that and post it in the Audition side, and let me tell you, that would not be pretty.

By the way Barbosa, who were you listening to when you started the thread?