For the first time since the late Artur Schnabel's memorable performances of 1932, all 32 of the Beethoven piano sonatas have been recorded (for Decca) by one man. The pianist: Germany's Wilhelm Kempff, 56. In Paris last fall, Kempff played the complete Beethoven cycle in recital, and Paris' critics forthwith ranked him ahead of Schnabel, Backhaus and Serkin. For the time being, at least, U.S. Beethoven fans will have to appraise his works from recordings. Like his fellow German pianist, Walter Gieseking, Kempff chose to go on playing in Germany under Hitler, now...
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