I had a similar experience with a different conclusion. I too ran across
my Lazarof disc while sorting CD's and upon relistening found his music
to be almost as unappealing as I did when I first gave it a hearing.
I recalled that I purchased it as it contains an Oboe work played by my
favourite oboist, Allen Vogel. The oboe piece was certainly challenging
and might make a good exercise to work on the "chops" of an oboe player,
but (must as I don't "get" Bartok generally) I just don't get Lazarof.
Perhaps I need to give it another chance some months removed.
Rachel Lee