Chinese pianist Lang Lang celebrated the release of his new recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, featuring both a studio and live version of the same piece, in Beijing on Sept 4.

The pianist also announced recitals in Shanghai, Xi'an of Shaanxi province and Beijing from Dec 9 to 27.

Pianist Lang Lang [Photo provided to China Daily]

Describing the project as his lifelong dream, the pianist says he has been studying this work more than 20 years and it's the right time to present his version to the public.

On March 1, he played the complete composition in Wiesbaden, Germany. A few days later, he performed the same piece at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach published the Goldberg Variations in 1741 and today it is considered as one of the best examples of its type. Written for the harpsichord, the work consists of 30 variations and an aria.

Pianist Lang Lang [Photo provided to China Daily]