Alfred Brendel - Beethoven - Sonata "Appassionata" / Sonata, Op. 111 mp3 album

Superb album. I have a couple of other renditions of op.111 by other pianists (Kempff, Ashkenazy, Richter...) but Brendel's take here is breathtakingly beautiful, with amazing rhythmic and dynamic control and a lucid understanding of the spirit of this final sonata. It's not "showy playing" in a spotlight virtuoso sense, but he does bring complete artistic understanding and, crucially, a very inspired and well executed use of syncopation all through the work to enhance its rhythmic and melodic complexities, and almost jazz-like breakdowns from one phrase into another. The Appassionata on the first side is flawless too. This is definitely an album to look out for.