“Orchestral solidity of sound makes the first movements immediately impressive. But the true scaling of heights comes in the slow movement of the C major—a colossal psychodrama here—and, unexpectedly, in the shadowy third movement of the E flat. The Op. 90 Sonata is mellower, never to the point of actually smiling, but unobtrusively responsive to the direction of Beethoven’s thought. Only a select few pianists are so in touch with Beethoven the awe-inspirer; and of those is there any who can match Richter for sustained intensity and will-power?” (c) Gramophone