I am an avid collector of classical cd's as well as an aspiring pianist. I have recently been studying Beethoven's piano sonatas and have been looking for some complete recordings of the sonatas. I have recieved several recommendations, among whome Brendel was mentioned. I have discovered that He currently has three different recordings out of the complete sonata cycle. The first recording was for VOX and the last two for Phillips. I am sure that each recording has it's individual strenghts. I am curious to know if anyone has an opinion as to which recording is the best. Also does anyone have any comments to the criticism I have heard that Brendel is not the most imaginative of pianists? Eric Hammond [log in to unmask]