Nelson Freire is an unsung hero along somewhat similar lines, though not as starkly intense as Kovacevich, and he doesn't have a Beethoven set out:-) I've heard praise from many re Kovacevich's set, though a few prefer a lighter approach With your tastes in pianists, you might enjoy Freddy Kempf's Rachmaninov CD. I'd keep my ears out, too, for a young fellow named Daniel-Ben Pienaar (UK and So.Africa). Definitely hear Grigory Ginsberg (sometimes spelled Ginzburg) on the Great Pianists set, if you haven't yet. Just amazing playing. AND, for a zingfest, for free, on mp3.com listen to Sergio Fiorentino's amazing Liszt Feux Follets, at http://stations.mp3s.com/stations/113/fiorentino_plays_liszt.html Argerich is not heard much in Beethoven though there is now a video (DVD) available in Japan, the Beethoven PC 1 with Ozawa, which I link to on my Argerich page. It's excellent. There is a broadcast audio-recording not commercially available, of the Beethoven Op. 10, #3 (Sonata 7), and I have the slow movement available on my server (in a lower quality mp3 format in case the recording should ever become commercially available) to show what her playing is like in more classical-era works and of course in quieter movements than the ones for which she's generally known -- it's the slow ones I especially enjoy. For the few who might be interested: Beethoven, Op 10, #3, Sonata #3, 2nd movement. For normal modems and Internet Explorer: Streaming: http://andrys.com/bee7b-24.m3u For normal modems and Netscape: http://andrys.com/bee7b-24.mp3 I'd like to hear what others think of this, as it goes against stereotype, in my view. Don Manildi has a long, excellent article in Musical America, on the annual edition's Musician of the Year (Argerich). Those interested in Argerich's playing and curious about the reasons for her disinterest in playing solo recitals can read this online at http://www.musicalamerica.com/features2001/musician.htm Otherwise, that edition costs over $100 from what I've heard. Maybe it comes with the annual subscription, which is $115 a year or so. Andrys http://andrys.com/argerich.html Available recordings, interviews, articles