It was an important season for this major work. The artistry of Elmar Oliveira elicited ovations from the audiences and led to such critical praise as that from Catherine Reese of the Salt Lake Tribune. "At times, the violin threatened to take flight; at others, the intricate double stopping made it hard to believe there was only one instrument at work. Particularly impressive was the vibrant third movement, with powerful strides in the orchestra balancing the lyrical flights of the solo violin. The Lees Concerto is a lyrical, engaging work." Writing in the Sacramento Bee, senior critic Alfred Kay noted, "Lees' 'Violin Concerto' is big, serious, complex and important. It contains a remarkable cadenza and what could be described as a frank question and answer period between the solo instrument and the orchestra. Fortunately too, it provides a soloist with numerous virtuoso opportunities. Oliveira's performance was brilliant, clearly delineating each note without compromising the concerto's basic form and objectives."