Crosspost from Waylt2
Bought this earlier today.
After a first listen, I think it's not too bad. It runs for about 91 1/2 minutes, with the CD split coming in the middle, between variations 15 and 16. Lang Lang's approach might be described as contemplative or meditative, with an emphasis on bringing out the melodic line. Even the quicker passages are not as fast as other pianists play them, although they are sped up enough to make the necessary contrast. I wouldn't label it a "romantic" approach.
In the notes Lang Lang describes starting to play the work for Harnoncourt, only to be interrupted by the conductor, who told him the work needed "a greater sense of solitude" and that the pianist look for a place of "stillness" in himself. Maybe this Zen-like approach appealed to a pianist who comes from the land where Zen was developed. It certainly seems to inform his performance.
My version, the one linked, has only the studio performance. There's a four CD version available with both the studio and a live concert performance. Obviously I have no idea of how the latter comes across.
I won't play it often, but I don't regret the purchase. It is probably worth at least one listen via a streaming service.
