My first encounter with the talents of Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear was his recent superb album in which he replicates Glenn Gould’s first public recital. He was three when Gould died but he followed, geographically, in his footsteps, studying at the same conservatory. Since then, the 40-year-old has amassed an impressive discography, as well as a reputation as a composer and improviser. His fame is beginning at last to spread outside the North American continent.

When you road-test a box of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas the showroom model you take for a spin is, for me at least, the Hammerklavier. This most challenging of the 32 is the litmus test – pull this behemoth off...