This is a recording from Appian Publications & Recordings Ltd (to quote the full title)—the label invariably more familiarly known simply as "APR".

Since its foundation in 1986, APR has won an enviable reputation as a quality label devoted predominantly—though not exclusively—to historic piano recordings. In particular APR has won countless laurels for the high standard of its 78rpm restoration work—"Transfers of genius" to quote one critic—as well as the detail and content of its booklets.

Vassily Sapellnikoff (1868–1941) and Xaver Scharwenka (1850–1924) were among the earliest generation of pianists to record, and on this ground alone it is surprising that their complete recordings have never before been transferred for modern listening. Not only do they give us a fascinating insight into nineteenth-century pianism but in the Tchaikovsky Concerto (the premiere recording of the work) we have the pianist who, after his 1888 Hamburg performance under the composer’s baton, went on to become Tchaikovsky’s favoured soloist, witnessed in many subsequent performances they gave together.