“Radu Lupu was a magic magician.”  That says it all, Mr. Dave.

Richter's Schubert has added so much beauty to my life.

My 5:

Schnabel
Kempff
Brendel
Lupu
Imogen Cooper

Very good list. I add Arrau & Curzon 😉

Brendel, Schiff, Lupu, Richter and Kempff 🎹

In addition to these pianists I very much like the Schubert recordings by Gilels and Maria João Pires. Schnabel above all others.

Fantastic list! I would also like to mention Andras Schiff and Pollini, I would certainly include them in my list, but to be honest I have no idea who from your list would I replace, they are all such great and obvious choices!

if I had one choice of recording of piano to take to a desert island it would be Arrau's 959.

I heard Uchida play the B-flat recently, and yes it was great.

As a teenager I heard Serkin play in NYC every chance I got and he did a lot of Schubert. I don't know how much he recorded.

Richter's Wanderer is unbelievable.

So many great pianists, so little time.

OMG!  I couldn't improve on your list!  So glad you included Alfred Brendel.  I discovered his Schubert only recently, and I'm so glad I did!  And Uchida!  Her recording of the Impromptus is one of the great piano recordings of all time!

Radu Lupu played to a sell out in Baltimore. I was on the outside looking in, trying to get a ticket for weeks. (The kindly manager came to know my voice on the phone). Eventually, on my behalf and a few others, he approached Lupu who amazingly granted permission for chairs to be placed on the stage beside him. I think there were six of us. And there he played the D960. And The Moonlight Sonata. Magic is the word. His live performance was exactly like his recorded one: he knew exactly how he wanted each note to sound.

Richter, Rudolf Serkin, Pollini, Kempff, Brendel

I cannot agree more with your choice of Richter, who, in my view, brings a Mahlerian universe to Schubert's music. Perhaps one of my favorite of his interpretations is that of the final of Schubert's Moments Musicaux, in which a dance traditionally played in a charming manner is turned into a heartbreaking testament.

Another talk in the  grand manner. If only you were a composer Dave. Very inspired.
Schuberts writing is so simple comparatively it doesn't require piano players, but singers. One must love making music more than playing piano.

Schnabel, Rudolf Serkin, Edwin Fischer, Clifford Curzon, Richter

Badura-Skoda for me.

Was backstage after a Brendel D960 performance. A fan came up and asked why he didn't repeat the exposition. Brendel snapped 'go read my book!' and shooed him away. Poor fella is probably still recovering. All he wanted was an autograph. 😂

Rudolph Serkin's D. 959 was my first Schubert piano sonata recording!!!

Thanks, Dave.  Great list.  I would add Ingrid Häbler.  Her Mozart and Schubert are simply exquisite.

I  was glad to see Radu Lupu on your list. Such an unbelievable artist. He also did a great Brahms 3rd sonata, and an earthshatering Pictures at an Exposition. It was a miracle the piano survived intact.