Christian Lindberg (trombone), Roland Pöntinen (piano) at RNCM
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Christian Lindberg is widely considered to be one of the world’s greatest trombonists. A prolific performer, he plays around 100 concerts a year all over the globe. One stop on his current tour is the RNCM. For this concert, he has written a characteristically ambitious programme which showcases his manifold talents as a composer, an arranger, and – of course – a performer. With his conducting duties rapidly growing, this is an increasingly rare opportunity to hear Lindberg perform in recital.
For many, Lindberg’s achievements with the trombone are unrivalled – comparative only with those of Paganini and his violin, or perhaps Liszt and his piano. Lindberg’s astonishing technique and uninhibited performance style are truly special, acknowledged by Classic FM in 2015 when he was voted the greatest brass player in history. Similarly, in the following year he was given the coveted International Classical Music Award at the Gala Ceremony in San Sebastian, Spain.
Lindberg has done much to expand the trombone’s repertoire. To date he’s premiered over 60 new concertos and arranged or transcribed over 200 other works for the instrument. Composers such as Michael Nyman, Luciano Berio and Arvo Pärt have all written pieces for him. Lindberg’s also written over 50 of his own works – one of which, entitled Black Hawk Eagle, we will hear at the RNCM. As for the rest of the programme, it’s been curated to explore both Romantic and contemporary pieces, including von Weber’s Romance and Cage’s Solo For Sliding Trombone.
Lindberg will be joined on stage by his partner of 40 years, Roland Pöntinen, who leads a similarly impassioned musical life. A virtuoso pianist, he’s developed a vast repertoire of classical standards as well as neglected and contemporary works by Satie, Maxwell Davies, Saariaho and many more. He’s also produced a substantial output as a composer and arranger, writing in jazz, popular and classical styles. At the RNCM, Pöntinen will perform Rachmaninov Preludes Op 32 Nos 5, 6, 7 and 9, as well as Franz Liszt’s ‘Miserere’ from Verdi’s Il Trovatore as piano solos.
A UK exclusive, this promises to be a special concert, and what’s more, the RNCM will be holding a Q&A with Lindberg prior to the performance, which will allow us an insight into the man behind the music. Sure to inject some joy into January, this is a concert that we are very much looking forward to!
