Backstage pass: get to know trombonist Christian Lindberg

This concert marks your return to the Philharmonia, performing your own concerto Golden Eagle. How does it feel to bring your own music to the stage as both composer and soloist?  

It is a huge honor with one of my absolute favorite orchestra in the world. I remember the year I studied in London back in 1979 how I always felt that Philharmonia had the greatest sound of all the fantastic London orchestras. I also remember with full joy the performances we did together!

Could you share a little about how Golden Eagle came into being – what inspired you to write it, and what would you like audiences to listen out for in the performance?  

The piece was a commission from Taipei Symphony orchestra back in 2010 and dedicated to their music director at that time Gilbert Varga. I always admired people who dared to go against the stream, and Gilbert was such a man. He never compromised on quality, and insisted on as much rehearsal time as possible, something that is very rare today. His braveness reminded me of a Golden Eagle, hence the title. The subtitles of each section should give a clear clue for the listener, but I encourage them also just to sit back and let the music go right in to the place in their soul where words can not reach.

What do you hope audiences take away from Golden Eagle?  

I hope they will be lifted up and that they are taken by the force of nature that music can communicate. I also want to show what an exceptionally great solo instrument is, with the enormous range of expressions, from the wildest to the most heartfelt.

In your autobiography, you describe a rather spirited childhood. What was the turning point that first drew you seriously towards music, and the trombone in particular?  

When I was 17 a friend’s father played us some 78s of Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden, and I was totally amazed by Teagarden’s expressive voice and trombone playing. We immediately formed a Dixieland band and I took up the trombone. 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 Orchestra in Stockholm. So one can say that I was immediately hooked at 17, and still, at 67 I cannot imagine a day without my trombone! I would say I am addicted!

You’ve described being exceptionally quick to learn as a child, which sometimes left school feeling unchallenging. How did you channel that restlessness into music, and what encouragement would you offer to young people who feel the same way and want to get into the arts? 

Yes indeed! School was not something for me! I hated the slow speed and sitting quiet all the time, as well as the strict discipline. But music has always had an incredible influence on my mind, and if I can just live in the world of music for at least 2 hours a day I become much more harmonious and calm.

My suggestion to young people wanting to go in to arts is this: pick an instrument even if you do not become musician! Read great literature! Draw and paint! But also, make sure that there is balance between body and mind (sports has also for me been an important source of happiness).

…music has always had an incredible influence on my mind, and if I can just live in the world of music for at least 2 hours a day I become much more harmonious and calm