Vadim Repin - Tchaikovsky & Sibelius: Violin Concertos (1996)

The CD was recorded in St Augustine's Church, London in 1996 and beautifully engineered by Mike Hatch and produced by Tim Oldham.
An old "Penguin Guide" was enthusiastic about the Sibelius:
"The purity and refinement of Vadim Repin's playing are what strike one first. The withdrawn darkness at the very start quickly opens out thrillingly to reveal his total command, the tautness of his control, with tone sharply focused. Here is a young artist who, for all the brilliance of his virtuosity, regularly keeps a degree of emotion in reserve, his very restrain adding to the intensity. The speed in the finale is thrillingly fast, yet Repin with light attack brings out the scherzando element as well as the passion."
And about the Tchaikovsky, the "Penguin Guide" said:
"Repin's withdrawn tone in moments of meditation and his fondness for the gentlest pianissimos are as remarkable as his purity and sharpness of focus in bravura. He brings many moments of magic, such as the gentle lead-in to the second subject and the whispered statement of the main theme in the central Canzonetta, enhanced by the natural balance of the soloist in refined and well-detailed Erato recording, making this a highly recommendable alternative to Chung Tchaikovsky/Sibelius: Violin Concertos in this favourite coupling."
The "Penguin Guide" might have also mentioned the fine conducting of Emmanuel Krivine and the wonderfully supportive London Symphony Orchestra!
This is, in my opinion, one of the best CDs from the mid-1990s and comes highly recommended.