Stephen Kovacevich's recently completed traversal of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas which is blessed with superb sound recording by EMI. This might be the best cycle from a contemporary pianist.

My favorite Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle from the great Chilean-born pianist Claudio Arrau, who performed them with ample Teutonic discipline and lyrical brilliance. It also includes his first Philips Beethoven Piano Concerto Cycle with Haitink conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Cynics will say that this was recorded when Barenboim was still a good pianist. Nonetheless it still enjoys great popularity and acclaim from critics and fans alike.

Barenboim's second Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle, recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, which, sadly, isn't as well appreciated as his earlier, legendary cycle for EMI.

Friedrich Gulda's Beethoven piano sonata cycle isn't normally included as among the best, but he was one of the most interesting, truly creative Classical musicians of the later half of the 20th Century, whose interests also included jazz. This set also includes his Beethoven piano concerti recordings.