The Beethoven arrived this morning, it's fresh, intelligent, surprising and beautiful, it doesn't sound hackneyed and it's far from superfluous!
Congratulations on the OBE, the Gramophone Award and any other recently awarded accolades 😉 .. all richly deserved!
If it's true that each recording project adds immeasurably to your life, then that would seem to be only fair. It was interesting to read that you derive such pleasure from the process, perhaps this accounts for the joyous energy found on your CDs.
Your remarks about connecting with your audience are well made, but only take us so far. As with the music, ultimately the specifics of what you do are much less important than who you are.