“The Brahms Violin Concerto is one of the most demanding and beloved pieces out there,” says Sinfonietta co-concertmaster Denise Dillenbeck, who has performed the piece herself. “It’s not only demanding on a technical level, but on an expressive one — the emotions Brahms conjures are varied, deep and intense, and to inhabit his world for 45 minutes is an incredible feat of endurance. … (For Swensen) to be able to hold the world of Brahms’ composition in his head, as well as the needs of all the various players in the orchestra, and his own playing of the solo part, is hard to comprehend. It puts the typical metaphor of a solo concerto, where the soloist is the hero fighting against or working with the masses of the orchestra, into sharp and exciting focus, and seems very appropriate for this piece. And not many are capable of it.” (The Tacoma News Tribune)