Christian Lindberg: A Trombone Odyssey

Swedish trombonist Christian Lindberg has won new recognition for the trombone as a solo instrument and now commands an international following. His passion for his instrument and his natural exuberance radiate from his playing. At the centre of this lively documentary is a record of the genesis of Anders Hillborg’s composition Strange Dances and Singing Water, a trombone concerto written specially for Lindberg.

Salonen conducts Sibelius and Grieg

This concert by the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundunks has an entirely Scandinavian theme. Under the aegis of Finnish-born Esa-Pekka Salonen the orchestra begins the recital with “Eleven Gates”, a work of soundpainting by the contemporary Swedish composer Anders Hillborg. Alice Sara Ott provides the focal point of the evening, with the Piano Concerto by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg. The orchestra rises to the challenge with the impressive final work, the great Fifth Symphony by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, a performance marking his 150th birthday “that no one who was present will ever forget.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)