“Some pianists are drawn to play the cantabile second theme of the slow movement with tenderness and elegance, as if anticipating the studied melancholy of Chopin; so too can languorous speeds stand in for profundity. Aimard eschews both approaches. The dotted rhythm smoothed out by many pianists at this melody’s outset pinched against its accompaniment; even in the most effusive moments Aimard made Beethoven’s lyricism sound like music fighting for breath. Aimard’s performance spotlights a special quality of isolation in late Beethoven.” –MusicOMH