His early work is the best. He plays the Sibelius very well. My favourite of all his recordings though is his version of the Bartok Solo Violin Sonata. He paired it with an arrangement of Ellington's Black and Tan. Lovely tone colours. I can live without the more recent stuff in particular the liberties he takes on regular occasions with the four seasons.
People are sometimes sniffy about him because of his move into popular music
Others are sniffy about his obnoxious and completely contrived persona.