A seemingly incongruous statement made by Beethoven in the twilight of his most distinguished career as a virtuoso pianist and composer.

Some of my favorite pianists:

Artur Schnabel, the reference standard by which most pianists are measured today. Unfortunately, very few modern pianists can match his Beethoven and Schubert recordings from the 1940's and 1950's.

Edwin Fischer, his recordings with Wilhelm Furtwangler, not recorded under the best conditions, still leave many of todays performances sorely lacking by comparison. I've yet to hear any pianist coax tonal colors from the keyboard like Fischer.

Alfred Brendel, Edwin Fischer's best known student. I have been fortunate enough to hear him in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion a few years ago. Both when he came here on his Schubert piano sonata cycle, and a year or two later when he played all the Beethoven piano sonatas.

Krystian Zimmerman, I have also been privileged to hear him both in concert and at rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl. While his playing is different from Brendel's, he matches the latter's ability to make the piano sing. Something that too few pianists today are capable of.

Andre Previn, a far superior pianist than he is a conductor IMHO. I heard him at UCLA's Royce Hall during his short lived tenure as conductor of the LA Philharmonic playing a Mozart piano concerto. I found his Mozart just as enjoyable as his Gershwin.

Byron Janis, Vladimir Horowitz's only student. This dynamic, technically gifted powerhouses' few recordings are worth seeking out. I far prefer his Rachmaninov 3rd piano concerto to that of his famous teacher. Unfortunately his career was cut short by the early onset of arthritis

Leon Fleischer, another excellent pianist whose career ended a lot earlier than it should have, due to loss of control of his right hand. Tried virtually everything imaginable to get his hand back in shape again. Rolfing, - a deep massage technique - finally succeeded.

Gary Graffman, another unfortunate victim to right hand problems. For those wanting outstanding performances of Tchaikovsky's lesser known piano concertos, the 2nd and the 3rd, his are still the most satisfying to these ears and is worth seeking out.

Wilhelm Kempff, while not a big hit with American audiences when he came over here, I find his Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert captures the spiritual essence of the music in a way that few pianists today can match. Listening to him play the last three Schubert piano sonatas - the D958, D959 and D960 - takes me to another plane.

Julius Katchen, curious to hear how Beethoven's 9th symphony evolved? Listen to Katchen and Pierino Gamba's truly stunning performance of the Choral Fantasia. Katchen's playing is so in tune with both chorus and orchestra it raises the hair on the back of my neck!

Radu Lupu, whether playing concertos, duets, piano sonatas or accompaniment, Lupu's performances always leave the listener satisfied. Probably the best pianist today for violinists and other small groups - trios, quartets etc - wanting to show their stuff.

Arturo Beneditti Michelangeli, while not perfect, I find his live recordings of the complete Beethoven piano concertos,with fellow Italian Carlo Maria Giuliani, truly stunning and breathtaking. These live recordings for Vienna TV capture the excitement of what live music is all about. His technical mastery of the keyboard combined with his awesome dynamic range will leave the listener wanting more.

Earl Wild, listening to this great American pianist playing Saint-Saens 2nd piano concerto will leave you too wondering, like the editors of the Penguin Guide, why he never landed a recording contract with a major label. His Chopin is a worthy, and equally satisfying alternative to Rubenstein.

Peter Serkin, I always found Peter much more enjoyable to listen to than his more famous father. His Schubert Trout quintet is still the finest of this often recorded piece.

Martha Argerich, whether accompanying Gidon Kremer in a wide range of violin sonatas, taking center stage solo or playing an ecletic range of piano concertos, Argerich will never leave one bored. I find her latest Tchaikovsky 1st piano concerto with Claudio Abbado much more satisfying than her earlier one with Kyrill Kondrashin.

Andras Schiff, lyrical playing with quiet confidence and inspired interpretations have blossomed in his work of late. Especially evident in his Bach suites and Mozart piano concertos.

Murray Perahia, like Brendel, I find him to be the consumate musician. I can honestly say that I've never heard him play a dud or a boring performance.