Raphael Lam wrote:

>I want to find the 'best' version of piano sonata and symphonies by
>Beethoven on CDs.  Any recommendations? Who is the top player / conductor
>in sonata and symphonies? Moreover, I don't know if it is better to buy a
>whole set or different pianists in separate CDs.  e.g.  Pollini on latest
>pieces.  Please rank with priorities for them!  Thanks.

In the case of the sonatas it's easy as there is no one comparable to
Artur Schnabel.  Of course there are other good or even great cycles and
most certainly there are astonishing performances of separate sonatas but
they all have to be measured against Schnabel IMO.  With the symphonies
it's much more difficult.  I grew up with Klemperer's HMV set and this is
still highly recommended.  For *HIP* (but also for quality transcending
categories) I'd suggest Bruggen.

Philip