Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim are lifelong friends. They were both born in Buenos Aires, within 18 months of each other. They are both incredible free keyboard spirits. If I want to hear some Beethoven piano music, he's my first resort. I sometimes find her playing to be very driven and occasionally brittle. I look elsewhere for warmth. I bought a record of her playing Schumann's Kreisleriana and loved it. The other side was Kinderscenen, which I don't think she got to the heart of. She is a private, reserved person and is somewhat notorious for cancelling her performances at the last minute. I agree with the YouTube bloke that we'll still be talking about her in 200 years' time. Well, not me personally.

Check out Mitsuko Uchida for a truly wonderful female pianist. At 72 I think she qualifies for the thread, though maybe she wouldn't agree.