Classical Music for Aficionados

The New York Times had Lang Lang record the piece but unfortunately afaik only released it on the daily NYT podcast where the podcast host blabs the whole time with the music relegated to background status.  I wonder why they bothered 

It is why i put the youtube link...

The NYT  is trash ...

I just compared four performances of Schumann’s masterpiece, the Symphonic Etudes.   Pogorelich, Richter Rubinstein and Pollini.  The results were very enlightening. Richter and Pogorelich, though representing two different worlds of interpretation, played with electric intensity, whereas Rubinstein was very musical, calm, but still effective, although he left out several variations in this live performance.  Pollini , surprisingly, was just dull, no excitement but indeed very capable. 
 Pogorelich, was, modernistically anti-Romantic in his approach, dry, without much use of pedal, yet incredibly impressive in intensity and technique.  Richter was more in the Romantic tradition with no less virtuosity.  Both pianists were in full command of the piano.  My preference was Pogorelich.

What also impressed me is how easy it is to compare solo players with regard to interpretation.  Orchestral performances are more tricky. The way an orchestra is recorded goes a long way towards your appreciation. You may prefer one recording over another due to how the sound effects you.  Sonics can cloud your perspective.

I haven’t done an exhaustive comparative listening of that piece, but my favorite is Bernd Glemser on Naxos.  The other 2 in my collection are Claudio Arrau and Wilhelm Kempff.  I haven’t heard any of the versions that you mentioned