Her whole Beethoven cycle is terrific..she was very self critical when she recorded them. The earlier sonatas are really special
She told Richter once she didn't like a particular recording of his, he was very amused and agreed .. geniuses don't do bs, ever..
Last April, I decided that I wanted to buy another complete set of the Beethoven sonatas. I decided from amongst four pianists: Arrau, Fischer, Goode, and Schiff. Fischer was on the list because you had recommended her. (Thank you.)
I compared their performances of Opp. 27 no. 1, 31 no. 1, 53, 109, and 110. Goode and Schiff had some interesting ideas, but they weren't fully worked out. At those times, their playing became irregular. Arrau and Fischer had fully worked out their interpretations. I found Fischer to be straightforward and bracing. I felt that her playing would have been better suited to the Mozart sonatas. She didn't convey the mysterious aspect of Beethoven. So I bought the Arrau set, which has not disappointed me.
Recently I've been comparing Backhaus, Kempff, and Levit. But, so far, I'm unpersuaded. I shall be considering Gulda as well.
On another note, let me add to the thread a Schumann's Kreisleriana that I had somehow managed to overlook.
This one made me sit up and think. It has been many years since I've heard an interpretation that took a different angle and made it work, adding something new. No one has surpassed Cortot. But Perahia delivered a very fine, romantic rendition; and Kissin has given us a good, unmannered reading.