Richard Goode's interpretations of the music of Beethoven first came to national attention some two decades ago, when he played all five concertos with the Baltimore Symphony, led by David Zinman. The Chicago Tribune recently describe him as "the indisputably great American pianist," and the Denver Post asserts, "he might well be without equal when it comes to the music of Beethoven." Now, this Tuesday, May 5, Nonesuch Records will release Goode's first-ever recording of the complete Beethoven concertos, performed with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and conductor Iván Fischer.

In the UK, where the album releases on Monday, Classic FM is playing tracks from the recording all this week on the program Afternoons with Anne-Marie Minhall. Including on the shows are excerpts from Minhall's interview with the pianist, broadcast earlier this year on her Sunday evening show, The Guestlist.

Sam Jackson, Classic FM's Executive Producer, calls it "one of the best new CDs of the year so far," even more pointedly exclaiming: "I can safely say that this is going to become one of the benchmark recordings of these Beethoven masterpieces." He continues:

All too often with concerto recordings, a star soloist is let down by a rather lacklustre backing band. That's certainly not the case here: the taut, robust playing of the Budapest Festival Orchestra would be a joy to listen to on its own! Add in Goode's joyous, melodic inventiveness and you get a boxed set which sheds new light on old favourites.

For more of Jackson's review and for details on the various broadcasts, visit classicfm.co.uk.

The Independent's Michael Church, reviewing the collection for the paper's Information section, gives the recording a perfect five stars, stating: "Supported with panache with Fischer and his band, Goode brings his precise touch to these five works, letting the lyricism sing out while keeping the majestic architecture always clearly in view."