I love late Brahms...
My favourite would probably be Lupu by a whisker - he is a little slow in some of the pieces but he places so beautifully. The bass on the Decca/London recording I find a bit thick.
Also Kovacevich - he is stormier and more intense. He is on Philips - on a two disc DUO set of Brahms piano with some less compelling pianists or better still a four disc set with Kovacevich's complete Brahms for Philips. Again the recording is not perfect and the piano sounds a bit clangy in some of the pieces.
Katchen too.
Can anyone comment on the Ax, Vogt, Vladar or the new Leonskaja recordings of the late pieces? I'de be interested in views. Thanks!