Encompassing his first collaboration to his last, this 4 CD collection celebrates Joseph Swensen’s tenure as Principal Conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (1996–2005). 

Swensen combines his role as conductor and soloist in acclaimed recordings of popular concertos by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Dvorák and Prokofiev. Written within a hundred years of each other these concertos not only provide Swensen with the opportunity to display his mastery of formidable technical demands, but also demonstrate each composer’s individual expressive and melodic expertise. Swensen’s dual role as both conductor and soloist creates a special collaboration with the musicians of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who remain acutely attuned to his intentions. In addition they perform a wonderful selection of orchestral music together to complement the concertos: Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Dvorák’s Nocturne for string orchestra and Czech Suite, Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave and ‘Scottish’ Symphony, plus Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 and his Five Melodies (orchestrated by Swensen for solo violin and orchestra).