Igor Levit, the winner of Gramophone's 2016 Recording of the Year for his astounding Sony Classical set of variations by Bach, Beethoven and Rzewski, has just released a set of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. Recorded in the studio following numerous complete live cycles, the sonatas are available as a CD box set, to stream and to download.

James Jolly caught up with Igor Levit at Steinway's London showroom to talk about the sonatas, and also find out how the pianist approached this colossal project.

You can listen to the Podcast above. To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone Magazine' in your Podcast application of choice, or visit Gramophone's page at iTunes.

Photo: Felix Broede