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Christian Lindberg

Christian Lindberg (born 15 February 1958) is a Swedish trombonist, conductor, and composer renowned for his virtuoso mastery of the trombone, having premiered over 300 works—including more than 100 major concertos—and recorded over 60 solo albums, establishing him as one of the most influential figures in contemporary brass performance.^[1]^[2] Born in Danderyd, Sweden, Lindberg initially learned trumpet before switching to trombone at age 17, inspired by jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden.^[1]^[3] He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music under Sven-Erik Eriksson, later pursuing advanced training at the Royal College of Music in London with John Iveson (1979–1980) and with Ralph Sauer and Roger Bobo in Los Angeles (1983).^[1] At 18, he made his professional debut as principal trombonist with the Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra, but left at 20 to pursue a solo career, debuting with Henri Tomasi's Trombone Concerto in 1984.^[1]^[3] Lindberg's solo career propelled the trombone into the spotlight as a versatile solo instrument, with him performing annually with major orchestras worldwide and signing his first recording contract with BIS Records in 1984, resulting in over 60 albums by the early 2000s.^[1] He has commissioned and premiered works from composers such as Jan Sandström, Christian Kühn, and Anders Hillborg, marking his 100th premiere on 7 September 2017, including recent premieres such as Andrea Tarrodi's Double Trombone Concerto (2025) and his own Chickabone Checkout (2025).^[1]^[4]^[5] As a composer since the 1990s, Lindberg has written over 50 pieces, including Arabenne for trombone and strings (1997) and Mandrake in the Corner (2006), with commissions from ensembles like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.^[1]^[2] Transitioning to conducting, Lindberg debuted in 2000 with the Northern Sinfonia and held principal positions with the Nordic Chamber Orchestra (2004–2011), Swedish Wind Ensemble (2005–2012), and Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra (2009–2018), while serving as Music Director of the Israel Netanya Kibbutz Orchestra from 2016 to 2021.^[1] He has also led the Allan Pettersson Project with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra since 2011.^[1] His contributions have earned prestigious honors, including the International Trombone Association Award (1991), the Swedish royal medal Litteris et Artibus (2004), Classic FM's designation as the "Greatest Brass Player in History" (2015), and the International Classical Music Award for Artist of the Year (2016).^[1]^[2]

Biography

Early life and education

Christian Lindberg was born on 15 February 1958 in Danderyd, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. As a youth, he initially learned to play the trumpet and cornet, showing early interest in brass instruments. At around age 16, he began studying the trombone after being inspired by recordings of the jazz musician Jack Teagarden, whose expressive playing captivated him during a visit to a friend's home where old 78 rpm records of Dixieland jazz featuring Louis Armstrong and Teagarden were played.^[1]^[6]^[3] Soon after taking up the trombone, Lindberg joined friends to form a Dixieland band, borrowing an instrument to participate. Despite his late start—having only one year of prior experience—he was accepted at age 18 into the Royal Swedish Academy of Music (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) in Stockholm, one of Sweden's premier conservatories. There, he studied under the principal trombonist Sven-Erik Eriksson, honing his technique and repertoire in a rigorous classical environment. At 19, he secured a position as principal trombonist with the Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra in Stockholm, marking his professional debut, though he left the ensemble just a year later to focus on a solo career.^[3]^[1]^[7] To advance his solo aspirations, Lindberg pursued further international studies. From 1979 to 1980, he attended the Royal College of Music in London, working with trombonist John Iveson, which exposed him to British orchestral traditions and refined his interpretive skills. In 1983, he traveled to Los Angeles for masterclasses with principal trombonists Ralph Sauer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Roger Bobo of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, emphasizing advanced technique and contemporary performance practices. These formative years of self-directed practice and mentorship laid the groundwork for his emergence as a virtuoso, during which he dedicated five years almost exclusively to intensive study of trombone literature, technique, and artistry without taking on additional gigs.^[1]^[7]

Personal life

Christian Lindberg was born on 15 February 1958 in Danderyd, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden.^[8] He grew up in a musical family; his elder brother is the renowned lutenist Jakob Lindberg, with whom he has occasionally collaborated on matters of historical performance practice.^[9] Lindberg resides in Stockholm with his wife, with whom he has raised four children, now adults.^[1] One of his daughters is the composer Andrea Tarrodi, known for works such as the trombone concerto Memoria, premiered by her father.^[10] As of 2018, Lindberg was a grandfather to three.^[11]

Performing career

Rise to prominence

Lindberg took up the trombone at the age of 17 in 1975, inspired by the jazz legend Jack Teagarden, after initially learning the trumpet and joining a Dixieland band.^[12]^[7] He entered the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm the following year at 18, studying under Sven-Erik Eriksson, and quickly progressed, winning a place in the soloist class after just one year of playing the instrument.^[13]^[12] By 1977, at age 19, he secured his first professional position as principal trombonist with the Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra in Stockholm, following a brief earlier engagement on a two-week tour with the Gävleborg Symphony Orchestra in 1975.^[13]^[7] After only one year in the orchestra, Lindberg left at 20 to pursue a solo career, dedicating the next five years to intensive study without additional employment, focusing on expanding the trombone's repertoire and technique.^[7] He furthered his training abroad, including a year at the Royal College of Music in London (1979–1980) with John Iveson under a British Council scholarship, and lessons in Los Angeles in 1983 with Ralph Sauer and Roger Bobo.^[13]^[12] This period of preparation culminated in his breakthrough win at the Nordic Soloists' Biennale competition in 1981, a contest typically dominated by string players, marking his first major international recognition as a trombonist.^[12]^[14] Lindberg's formal concert debut as a soloist came in 1984, performing Henri Tomasi's Trombone Concerto with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Jukka-Pekka Saraste.^[12] That same year, he signed a three-album recording contract with the BIS label, releasing his debut solo album, The Virtuoso Trombone, which showcased his technical prowess and helped establish the trombone as a viable solo instrument in classical music.^[12] These milestones propelled him to prominence, as he became the first classical trombonist to sustain a full-time international solo career, premiering numerous works and overcoming initial skepticism from the music industry about the instrument's solo potential.^[7]^[12]

Notable premieres and performances

Lindberg has been instrumental in expanding the trombone repertoire, premiering over 90 new concertos and more than 300 works for the instrument throughout his career.^[15] His performances often feature innovative techniques and collaborations with leading composers, establishing him as a pivotal figure in contemporary music for brass. Many of these premieres have taken place with major orchestras, highlighting the trombone's versatility in both solo and ensemble contexts.^[12] One of his early landmark premieres was Dominic Muldowney's Trombone Concerto, which received its world premiere at the BBC Proms on July 22, 1996, with Lindberg as soloist and the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The work, commissioned for Lindberg, blends virtuosic demands with orchestral color, synthesizing elements of jazz and classical traditions in a manner that critics noted for its energetic synthesis. This performance marked a significant moment in promoting the trombone at one of the world's premier music festivals.^[16]^[17]^[18] In 1999, Lindberg gave the world premiere of Luciano Berio's Solo for trombone and orchestra, a piece dedicated to him and composed specifically to showcase the instrument's lyrical and dramatic potential. The performance occurred on December 7, 1999, at the Tonhalle in Zürich, with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under David Zinman. Berio described the work not as a traditional concerto but as an exploration of the trombone's soloistic voice within an orchestral framework, incorporating extended techniques and humor. Lindberg later brought the piece to wider audiences, including its American premiere with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2002.^[19]^[20]^[7] Lindberg's commitment to new music continued into the 2000s, exemplified by the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Yet Another Set-to for solo trombone and ensemble on March 26, 2005, with the London Philharmonic under Marin Alsop at the Royal Festival Hall. This raucous, jazz-inflected work pushed the boundaries of the instrument, reflecting Turnage's style of blending classical and improvisatory elements, and solidified Lindberg's reputation for tackling bold contemporary commissions.^[21] Reaching a personal milestone, Lindberg delivered his 100th trombone concerto premiere on September 7, 2017, performing Per Egland's concerto with an orchestra in Sweden. This event underscored his lifelong dedication to commissioning and debuting works that elevate the trombone's status in the concert hall. More recently, on November 15, 2025, he joined fellow trombonist Dillon MacIntyre for the world premiere of Andrea Tarrodi's Double Trombone Concerto with the Santa Barbara Symphony, further demonstrating his ongoing influence in collaborative and innovative performances.^[22]^[23] Beyond premieres, Lindberg's performances at the BBC Proms have been particularly noteworthy, including appearances featuring Jan Sandström's Motorbike Concerto—a staple of his repertoire known for its vivid evocation of motorcycle sounds through trombone effects—and other works that highlight his theatrical approach to the instrument. These concerts, often blending standard repertoire with novelties, have drawn acclaim for their energy and accessibility, attracting diverse audiences to the trombone's expressive range.^[24]^[25]

Conducting career

Orchestral positions

Lindberg's conducting career gained momentum in the early 2000s, leading to several principal appointments with ensembles across Scandinavia and beyond. In 2004, he became Music Director of the Nordic Chamber Orchestra, a position he held until 2011, during which he expanded the orchestra's repertoire to include contemporary works alongside classical staples.^[26]^[27] Concurrently, from 2005 to 2012, Lindberg served as Music Director of the Swedish Wind Ensemble, where he championed wind music and premiered several of his own compositions with the group.^[26]^[27] In 2009, he took on the role of Principal Conductor (also referred to as Music Director) of the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic, a post he maintained until 2019, overseeing tours and recordings that highlighted Nordic musical traditions.^[27]^[26] Lindberg's international reach grew with his appointment as Music Director of the Israel NK Orchestra in 2016, a role he fulfilled until the ensemble's dissolution in 2021; under his leadership, the orchestra performed at prominent venues in Israel and released acclaimed recordings of Mozart and other composers.^[26]^[27] These positions solidified his reputation as a versatile conductor capable of bridging soloist expertise with orchestral direction.^[26]

Major projects and recordings

Lindberg's conducting career has been marked by ambitious recording projects that emphasize Scandinavian repertoire and innovative interpretations of the classics. A cornerstone of his discography is the complete cycle of Allan Pettersson's 17 symphonies, recorded with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra for BIS Records between 2011 and 2020. This extensive project, which Lindberg spearheaded in collaboration with the orchestra, earned widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and technical precision, culminating in releases such as Symphonies Nos. 4 and 16 (2014) and Nos. 5 and 7 (2018), with the final volumes completing the survey of Pettersson's monumental output. The cycle not only revitalized interest in the composer's work but also showcased Lindberg's ability to navigate the symphonies' intense, expressionistic demands.^[28]^[29] Another significant initiative involved promoting the music of fellow Swede Wilhelm Stenhammar through recordings with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra (previously known as the Royal Flemish Philharmonic) on BIS. Beginning in 2014, this project included the Serenade in F major, Op. 31, Excelsior!, Op. 13, and the Interlude from The Song, followed by Symphony No. 2 and Ett drömspel (A Dream Play) in 2018. These efforts highlighted lesser-known aspects of Stenhammar's oeuvre, blending late-Romantic lyricism with Nordic restraint, and demonstrated Lindberg's collaborative rapport with the orchestra in capturing the music's evocative qualities.^[30]^[31] During his decade-long tenure as principal conductor of the Arctic Philharmonic (2009–2019), Lindberg led the ensemble in a notable recording of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, and 6 for BIS in 2016. This two-disc set emphasized the scores' dramatic vitality and rhythmic drive, drawing on Lindberg's personal connection to the Fifth Symphony, which he first encountered as a child. The project exemplified his approach to standard repertoire, infusing it with energetic phrasing suited to the orchestra's northern setting. Additionally, his earlier roles with the Nordic Chamber Orchestra (2004–2011) and Swedish Wind Ensemble (2005–2012) yielded recordings such as wind arrangements of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and original compositions, further expanding his catalog in chamber and wind formats.^[32]^[26] In 2019, amid the challenges of the global pandemic, Lindberg co-founded the independent label European Gramophone with producer Per Egland, rapidly building a roster exceeding 150 releases. This venture has facilitated recordings with diverse ensembles, including the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and Taipei Symphony Orchestra, often under Lindberg's baton, prioritizing high-fidelity captures of classical and crossover works to broaden accessibility via streaming platforms. The label's output underscores his entrepreneurial vision in sustaining orchestral recording in the digital era.^[33]

Compositions

Creative style and output

Lindberg began composing seriously in his late thirties, with his first major work, Arabenne for trombone and strings (CL 2, 1997), marking a pivotal shift after an earlier, abandoned attempt at composition in his youth. This premiere, performed with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, launched a prolific output that has since exceeded 50 original works, many commissioned by prestigious ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. His compositions span a wide range of instrumentation, from solo trombone pieces like Drei Ecke (CL 1, 1995) and Joe Jack Binglebandit (CL 24, 2004) to larger orchestral scores such as Lightning over Kythnos for wind quintet and orchestra (CL 50, 2012) and Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra (CL 36, 2008), often tailored for specific performers or cultural contexts.^[34]^[35] Central to Lindberg's creative style is an intuitive, non-stylistic approach, as he has articulated: "I do not write in any style whatsoever! I just listen to what my brain and my soul tell me, and what I hear I simply put down on paper." This philosophy eschews adherence to traditional genres or trends, favoring personal inspiration drawn from literature, nature, travel, and everyday experiences—evident in works like Marfa pa Hamnoy (CL 28, 2004–2005), inspired by his dog, or Of Blood So Red (CL 31, 2005–2007), based on a poem by August Strindberg. His music frequently incorporates virtuosic demands, particularly for brass instruments, reflecting his background as a trombonist; pieces such as Kundraan’s Karma (CL 41, 2009) require the composer to perform as narrating trombonist and conductor simultaneously, blending narrative, improvisation, and orchestral color. Themes often evoke vivid imagery, from the rhapsodic violence of symphonic poems like Lightning over Kythnos to multicultural fusions in The Wild Rose (CL 42, 2009) for narrator and Chinese traditional orchestra, showcasing a playful yet profound eclecticism that sidesteps conventional 21st-century orchestral norms.^[35]^[34] Lindberg's output demonstrates versatility across chamber, orchestral, and multimedia forms, with over 30 works featuring the trombone, underscoring his role in expanding the instrument's repertoire. Notable examples include the multi-versioned Mandrake in the Corner (CL 4a–f, 1999–2002), adapted for various ensembles from wind band to brass, and Chickabone Checkout (CL 30, 2003–2006), a concerto blending jazz influences with classical structure. Commissioned pieces like Panda in Love for tuba and orchestra (CL 46) and Visions and Non Thoughts for trombone and mixed choir (CL 37, 2008) highlight his collaborative ethos, often premiered by international artists and orchestras. This body of work, while rooted in his performer-conductor expertise, prioritizes emotional directness over theoretical constructs, contributing uniquely to contemporary music through its accessibility and imaginative scope. Lindberg continues to compose actively, with recent works including Heaven's Gate for trombone quartet (2024) and Land of the Rising Sun (2025).^[34]^[35]^[36]^[37]

Notable works

Lindberg began composing original works in the late 1990s, following encouragement from fellow Swedish composer Jan Sandström, with his debut major piece marking a shift toward exploring the trombone's expressive potential in contemporary idioms. His compositions often blend jazz influences, vivid programmatic elements, and technical innovation, frequently tailored for brass instruments while expanding to orchestral and chamber settings. By the 2010s, he had produced dozens of pieces, many commissioned by leading ensembles and soloists, emphasizing rhythmic vitality and narrative flair.^[38] One of his earliest and most foundational works is Arabenne (1997) for trombone and strings, premiered and recorded that year, which established Lindberg's voice through its lyrical, Arabian-inspired motifs and seamless integration of soloistic virtuosity with ensemble texture. This piece, dedicated to exploring the trombone's melodic range beyond traditional repertoire, has been performed widely and exemplifies his initial foray into composition at age 39.^[39]^[38] Among his programmatic compositions, Mandrake in the Corner (1999–2002) for trombone stands out for its humorous tribute to the cartoon superhero Mandrake the Magician, featuring syncopated rhythms and illusionary effects that mimic magical feats on the instrument; it highlights Lindberg's penchant for lighthearted, accessible contemporary music. Similarly, Chick 'a' bone Checkout (2006), composed for Chicago Symphony Orchestra trombonist Charles Vernon, employs funky grooves and improvisatory sections to evoke a bustling urban scene, showcasing Lindberg's jazz roots in a solo trombone context.^[38]^[5] In orchestral realms, Kundraan and the Arctic Light (2013), commissioned by the Arctic Philharmonic and premiered by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at New Music Dublin, captures the ethereal northern landscapes through shimmering strings and brass calls, reflecting Lindberg's fascination with environmental themes. Another highlight is Lightning over Kythnos (2012) for wind quintet and orchestra, dedicated to the Stockholm Philharmonic Wind Quintet and premiered by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, which employs rapid scalar passages and stormy dynamics to depict a Greek island thunderstorm, demonstrating his skill in balancing soloistic winds against full orchestral forces.^[39]^[40] Lindberg's brass-focused oeuvre extends to Panda in Love for tuba and orchestra, premiered in Sundsvall with tuba virtuoso Øystein Baadsvik, infusing romantic whimsy with buoyant melodies to celebrate the instrument's warmth. These works, alongside others like Peking Twilight (2012) for orchestra—commissioned for the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra's centenary—underscore his prolific output of over 50 original pieces, many recorded on BIS and other labels, contributing to the expansion of modern brass literature.^[39]

Recognition

Awards and honors

Christian Lindberg has received numerous accolades throughout his career, recognizing his virtuosity as a trombonist, innovative compositions, and contributions to conducting. These honors highlight his transformative influence on brass performance and contemporary music. In 1991, Lindberg was awarded the International Trombone Association (ITA) Award, which acknowledges exceptional creative and artistic achievement in trombone performance, composition, teaching, and related fields.^[41] This prestigious recognition marked him as a leading figure in the trombone world early in his solo career. Lindberg received the Litteris et Artibus medal from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 2004, for outstanding artistic accomplishments, particularly in music. Established in 1853, this royal honor is bestowed for eminent contributions to the arts, underscoring Lindberg's role in elevating the trombone as a solo instrument and his extensive commissioning of new works. In September 2015, listeners of Classic FM, the United Kingdom's largest classical music radio station, voted Lindberg the greatest brass player in history, affirming his global impact on brass performance.^[2] On April 1, 2016, Lindberg was named Artist of the Year at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), selected by a jury of chief editors from prominent music publications worldwide for his multifaceted career as performer, composer, and conductor.^[42] This award celebrated his over 300 premieres of trombone works and more than 100 solo recordings, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in the instrument's repertoire.

Innovations and legacy

Lindberg has made significant innovations in trombone design and technique, collaborating with manufacturers to develop equipment that enhances playability and sound quality. Between 1989 and 1998, he designed a series of mouthpieces featuring a thinner rim for improved flexibility, a deeper cup for better high-register brilliance and low-pedal tones, and a sharper inner rim for precise soft attacks, available in six sizes for various bore instruments.^[43] In partnership with Conn-Selmer, he co-developed the Conn 88HCL tenor trombone (1994–1999), incorporating the patented CL2000 rotor system for a faster, smoother Bb-to-F transition and an open, resonant sound, along with models featuring gold-plated sterling silver bells.^[43] He also redesigned the Conn 36H alto trombone, adding a valve to facilitate lip trills and expand compositional possibilities, and invented the Resistance Balancer, an adjustable device offering light, medium, or heavy settings to adapt resistance for different acoustics and dynamics.^[43] Additionally, he endorsed innovative mutes like the Ullvén Triple Straight Plate, which uses configurable flat plates for versatile muting effects.^[44] As a performer and commissioner, Lindberg revolutionized the trombone's repertoire by premiering over 300 works, including more than 100 major concertos, thereby establishing the instrument as a viable solo voice in contemporary music.^[2] His advocacy led to commissions from leading composers and orchestras, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and he has recorded over 100 solo albums, documenting these expansions and influencing generations of players.^[2] In composition, starting with Arabenne for trombone and strings (1997–1998), Lindberg has produced over 50 works, characterized by exuberant theatricality, rhythmic vitality, and integration of folk-like melodies with virtuoso demands, often blending brass traditions with modern orchestration.^[26] His conducting innovations include dynamic interpretations that emphasize energy and precision, as seen in projects with ensembles like the Nordic Chamber Orchestra (music director, 2004–2011) and the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra (2009–2018).^[26] Lindberg's legacy lies in transforming the trombone from an orchestral ensemble player into a celebrated solo instrument, comparable to the revolutionary impacts of Paganini on the violin or Liszt on the piano.^[2] Voted the "Greatest Brass Player in History" by Classic FM in 2015 and one of the greatest brass players of the 20th century alongside Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, he has inspired an international solo trombone competition in his name and founded the European Gramophone label in 2019, which has released over 150 albums to preserve and promote brass music.^[2]^[26] His multifaceted career—spanning performance, composition, and conducting—has broadened the instrument's artistic scope, fostering innovation and accessibility in classical music worldwide, including the completion of the Allan Pettersson Project with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in 2023.^[15]^[45]

Discography

Recordings as trombonist

Christian Lindberg has built an extensive discography as a trombonist, releasing over 70 solo albums that showcase his virtuosity across classical, romantic, and contemporary repertoires, primarily with the BIS label. His recordings emphasize the trombone's versatility, often through thematic collections that explore specific stylistic periods or national schools of composition. These works frequently feature premieres of pieces dedicated to him, highlighting his role in expanding the instrument's solo literature.^[46]^[47] His debut recording, The Virtuoso Trombone (BIS-258, 1984), launched a long-term association with BIS and included technically demanding pieces that demonstrated his innovative techniques, such as multiphonics and flutter-tonguing. This was followed by a series of genre-specific albums, including The Romantic Trombone (BIS-298, 1985), which presented concertos by Ferdinand David and others performed with the Basle Chamber Orchestra, and The Burlesque Trombone (BIS-318, 1986), exploring lighter, theatrical works. Later entries in this vein, such as The Solitary Trombone (BIS-CD-388, 1989) with unaccompanied pieces by Berio, Xenakis, Kagel, and Cage, underscored his commitment to avant-garde solo repertoire.^[38]^[47]^[48] Lindberg also produced nationally themed concerto cycles, including American Trombone Concertos (BIS-628, 1990) with the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, British Trombone Concertos (BIS-658, 1992), and Nordic Trombone Concertos (BIS-888, 1996), which revived 20th-century works by composers like Vagn Holmboe and Jan Sandström. These recordings often involved collaborations with ensembles such as the Malmö Symphony Orchestra and pianist Roland Pöntinen, as in Songs for Sunset: Trombone and Piano (BIS-808, 1994). Into the 21st century, albums like Classical Trombone Concertos (BIS-1248, 2002) and The Baroque Trombone (BIS-1688, 2009) further broadened the instrument's historical scope, while recent releases such as Pieces for Solo Trombone (2024) continue to feature new unaccompanied compositions. His discography as a trombonist remains a cornerstone of modern brass recording, with many albums earning critical acclaim for their technical precision and interpretive depth.^[46]^[1]^[49]

Recordings as conductor

As a conductor, Christian Lindberg has built an extensive discography, primarily with the BIS label, featuring over 50 recordings that span Scandinavian modernism, Romantic symphonies, and his own compositions. His conducting debut on record came in the late 1990s, but his output accelerated after taking principal conductor positions with ensembles like the Swedish Wind Ensemble (2005–2012) and the Nordic Chamber Orchestra (2004–2011), leading to dedicated album series that highlight Nordic repertoire. These recordings emphasize Lindberg's advocacy for underrepresented composers, blending precision with emotional intensity, and have earned international praise for their interpretive depth.^[27]^[38] Lindberg's landmark achievement is the complete cycle of Allan Pettersson's 17 symphonies, recorded with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra between 2011 and 2019 as part of the Allan Pettersson Project. This ambitious eight-volume series, released on BIS, captures the composer's raw, existential soundscapes in performances noted for their dramatic power and structural clarity; for instance, Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 (2011, BIS-1860), Nos. 5 & 6 (2013, BIS-1980), Symphony No. 9 (2013, BIS-2038), Symphony No. 10 (2008, BIS-1770), Symphony No. 13 (2016, BIS-2190), Symphony No. 14 (2017, BIS-2230), and Symphony No. 12 ("The Dead on the Square," 2019, BIS-2450). The project revitalized interest in Pettersson's oeuvre, culminating in a Swedish Grammis award for the recording of Symphony No. 9 in 2016, shared with the orchestra and label.^[27]^[38] Beyond Pettersson, Lindberg has explored 20th-century American and Russian works with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, including Leonard Bernstein's Symphonies Nos. 1 ("Jeremiah") & 2 ("The Age of Anxiety") (2017, BIS-2298 SACD) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 ("Pathétique") (2016, BIS-2178 SACD), where his readings balance lyricism with rhythmic drive. Earlier efforts include A Composer's Portrait II (2007, BIS-1658) with the Swedish Wind Ensemble, showcasing works by composers like Dag Wirén and Hilding Rosenberg, and Jan Sandström: Orchestral Works (2009, BIS-1748) with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, featuring pieces by Nielsen and Sibelius. He has also conducted Romantic Swedish repertoire, such as Wilhelm Stenhammar's Symphony No. 2 in G minor (2018, BIS-2329 SACD) with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, highlighting its Brahmsian influences. Additionally, Lindberg has recorded his own orchestral music, such as the album 2017 (2020, BIS-2418), performed by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, which demonstrates his compositional style through vibrant, eclectic scores.^[27]^[38]

References

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Christian Lindberg (Trombone, Conductor) - Short Biography
Aug 15, 2021 · Christian Lindberg is perhaps the first classical trombonist to maintain a successful full-time performing career as a soloist, now ...
[2]
Christian Lindberg | Conn Selmer
Having premièred over 300 works for the trombone (over 130 major concertos) recorded over 100 solo albums, having an international solo competition created in ...
[3]
Backstage pass: get to know trombonist Christian Lindberg
Oct 24, 2025 · One year later I was accepted to the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, and at 19 I won the audition as trombonist in the Royal Opera House ...
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Record - Royal Albert Hall Archives
Christian Lindberg (born 15 February 1958) is a Swedish trombonist, conductor and composer. As a youth Lindberg learned to play the trumpet, and subsequently ...
[5]
Christian Lindberg Interview with Bruce Duffie . . . . .
For five years I did no extra jobs, no gigs at all. I just studied the trombone. BD: Literature or technique? CL: Literature and technique, art, all that ...
[6]
Christian Lindberg - MusicBrainz
Dec 19, 2016 · trombonist, conductor and composer, Type: Person, Gender: Male, Born: 1958-02-15 in Danderyd municipality, Area: Sweden.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[7]
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Jan 10, 2010 · Given Christian Lindberg's ... In terms of performance technique, Lindberg says he has taken advice from his brother, the lutenist Jakob Lindberg.
[8]
Big Bang: Bruckner. Germany's Tonhalle Düsseldorf concert hall ...
Aug 27, 2025 · ... Christian Lindberg in the double trombone concerto Memoria by Swedish composer Andrea Tarrodi, who is also Lindberg's daughter.
[9]
Christian Lindberg - Beautiful Humans
Apr 9, 2018 · CL: No, no. Of course, I have a normal life. I have a wife, I have four children, and I have three grandchildren. It's usually in periods.Missing: personal family
[10]
Christian Lindberg - Conductor - MariinskyKirov.com
Christian Lindberg (born 1958) is a Swedish trombone virtuoso. Lindberg has premiered over 200 works, including over 70 new concerti. His performances are ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[11]
Autobiography
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG AUTOBIOGRAPHY. There are fantastic possibilities in our modern world of today. For instance, to be able to write a totally authentic ...
[12]
An evangelist on the slide | The Independent
Feb 21, 2005 · The milestones in Lindberg's career include winning the Nordic Soloists' Biennale in 1981 - a competition normally reserved for violinists, ...<|separator|>
[13]
Proms 1996 Prom 04 - BBC Proms - BBC
Dominic Muldowney. Trombone ConcertoWorld premiere. Modest Mussorgsky. Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Maurice Ravel). Performers. Robin Holloway. orchestrator.
[14]
First Performances - Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Dominic Muldowney's Trombone Concerto received a virtuoso world premiere by Christian. Lindberg, for whom it was composed, colour- fully supported by the BBC ...
[15]
THE CRITICS : Why I hate the Royal Albert Hall - The Independent
Jul 28, 1996 · New music in the Proms began on Monday with the premiere of Dominic Muldowney's Trombone Concerto, a piece which tries to synthesise the ...
[16]
Berio: SOLO (1999) for trombone and orchestra - Universal Edition
SOLO for trombone and orchestra was written in 1999 for trombonist Christian Lindberg. “It's not a concerto in the real sense of the word.
[17]
Christian Lindberg - Centro Studi Luciano Berio
Christian Lindberg. David Zinnman, Christian Lindberg and Luciano Berio during a rehearsal for the world première of SOLO, Tonhalle, Zurich, December 1999.
[18]
Mr Trombone | Classical music - The Guardian
Mar 27, 2005 · Actually, Turnage's piece, Yet Another Set-to, which Lindberg premiered with the London Philharmonic under Marin Alsop last Saturday, is not ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
[19]
Christian Lindberg: "When people go to a concert, they look so boring"
Dec 9, 2016 · Of course, I will continue premiering trombone concertos. In 2017, I will premiere my concerto No. 100 by Per Egland, the Swedish composer. But ...
[20]
https://www.lucianoberio.org/en/christian-lindberg/
[21]
Interview: Christian Lindberg | The Guardian | guardian.co.uk
Tonight will see Lindberg's second appearance at the Proms: he played Dominic Muldowney's concerto there in 1996. "They programmed the Motorbike Concerto once, ...<|separator|>
[22]
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Lindberg – review
Mar 2, 2012 · ... Motorbike Concerto by fellow Swede Jan Sandström. For this UK premiere of another Sandström work, Echoes of Eternity, Lindberg appeared ...
[23]
Biography - Arabenne
As a composer Lindberg has been constantly busy with commissions since he wrote his first composition Arabenne for Trombone and Strings in 1997-98 as a pure ...Missing: early education
[24]
Lindberg, Christian - BIS Records
From 2009 until 2019 he was principal conductor of the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic, and between 2016 and its dissolution in 2021 he was artistic and music ...
[25]
Allan Pettersson's Symphonies 4 & 16 - The Classical Source
Christian Lindberg and the Norrköping Symphony continue their Allan Pettersson cycle with this coupling of the Fourth and Sixteenth Symphonies.
[26]
https://arabenne.com/cl-biography/
[27]
https://bis.eclassical.com/conductors/lindberg-christian/
[28]
Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2 & Ett drömspel
Aug 3, 2018 · Antwerp Symphony Orchestra Christian Lindberg, conductor. Cover Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2 & Ett drömspel. Label: BIS. Genre: Classical. $ 14.30.
[29]
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8403120--pettersson-symphonies-nos-5-7
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European Gramophone – Arabenne
During the pandemic Christian Lindberg and Per Egland started a brand new recording label. In a matter of months their streaming numbers were skyrocketing ...
[31]
https://www.highresaudio.com/album/view/qvregd/antwerp-symphony-orchestra-christian-lindberg-stenhammar-symphony-no-2-ett-dromspel
[32]
[PDF] CHRISTIAN LINDBERG - Eastman School of Music
Jan 23, 2024 · Having premièred over 300 works for the trombone (over 90 major concertos) recorded over 70 solo CDs, having an international solo competition ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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Christian Lindberg
### Summary of Christian Lindberg's Compositions
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Christian Lindberg - Solo Trombonist, Composer, Conductor
This piece was commissioned by the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, and premired at the new music festival in Dublin 1 March 2013. CL50 Lighning over Kythhnos for ...
[35]
Christian Lindberg with the Arctic Philharmonic - Arktisk Filharmoni
As chief conductor of the Arctic Philharmonic from 2009-2018, Lindberg is well-known and much-loved by our audiences. 7 years after his last concert with our ...Missing: Norwegian | Show results with:Norwegian
[36]
ITA Award - International Trombone Association
The ITA Award recognizes an elite level of creative and artistic output in areas such as trombone performance, composition, arranging, teaching, conducting, ...
[37]
ICMA Artist Of The Year Christian Lindberg Shows Video About San ...
ICMA Artist of the Year 2016, Christian Lindberg, has posted a video about the San Sebastian Gala on Youtube. You can view the video with this link.
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Christian Lindberg - CL Trombones and Mouthpieces
Christian Lindberg designed his mouthpieces between 1989 and 1998. For nine years he was experimenting with a completely new idea about how a mouthpiece should ...
[39]
https://www.tarrodi.se/cl/page.asp?show=41
[40]
Christian Lindberg Trombone Interview – Trombone Corner #10
Oct 2, 2020 · As a composer Lindberg has been constantly busy with commissions since he wrote his first composition Arabenne for Trombone and Strings in 1997- ...Missing: rise prominence<|control11|><|separator|>
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Christian Lindberg - BIS Records - eClassical
His acclaimed and wide-ranging discography on BIS includes more than 50 CDs, and features him in all three roles: as trombonist, composer and conductor.
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Christian Lindberg (1958) - Naxos Records
Learn more about the albums and works by Christian Lindberg available at Naxos. Buy now or listen for free.
[43]
The Solitary Trombone by Christian Lindberg (Album; BIS; BIS-CD ...
The Solitary Trombone, a classical music Album by Christian Lindberg. Released in February 1989 on BIS (catalog no. BIS-CD-388; CD).
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Pieces for Solo Trombone - Album by Christian Lindberg - Apple Music
Jun 11, 2024 · Christian Lindberg: Pieces for Solo Trombone ; 1. Carita Mia Magna: I · 1:42 ; 2. Carita Mia Magna: II · 1:16 ; 3. Land of Beauty, Nature Threatens: ...