Search - George Bassman, Luciano Berio, Ferdinand David :: 10-Year Jubilee

An interesting compilation

Michael F. Maddox | Tallahassee, Florida United States | 03/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ten-Year Jubilee is a compilation of pieces from the first ten years of Lindberg's amazing career. Now at 20+ years, it's interesting to hear the things that made Christian Lindberg the world's preeminent trombone soloist--truly the recordings that have brought the trombone into the 21st century. For the novice, this recording serves as an excellent introduction to the sometimes-terrifying but always-virtuosic trombonist and personality that is Christian Lindberg. From classical to modern, the dissonant to the sublime, Lindberg plays it all and this CD runs the gamut.



High points:



The always-fun Finale from the Motorbike Concerto--Lindberg's "signature" piece--is included. Evocative of a motorcycle race, Lindberg and orchestra overpower the listener with screaming glissandos and powerful dynamics. The entire five-movement concerto can be rather tiresome, but the included Finale is a perfect introduction to the casual listener.



Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, though not my personal favorite on any instrument, silences the nay-sayers convinced rapid, clean articulation is impossible on the trombone. Lindberg handles it with his characteristic finesse, taking it at a tempo faster than most other artists as though proving a point. Well-done.



Cavatine, a standard of solo trombone repertoire, showcases Lindberg's clear--if bright--soloistic tone and lyric capability. The instrument sings here, and the sometimes over-wide vibrato is reminiscent of vocalists of an earlier era.



Low points are few, but some selections may well overwhelm the novice. The almost chaotic U-Tangia-Na is simultaneously haunting and bizarre, capable of evoking strong response in the most-jaded of listener. (Sinful? Nope, just different--an exploration of sound that does not approach the dissonance of free-improvisation, yet still introduces us to seemingly-disconnected ideas that final coalesce into a musical whole.) Sonata Serioso started as a joke, and the piece will strike some as silly and dated. Drei Ecke is theatrical in nature, and constrained to only sound, you'll feel you're missing something from the performance. No real complaints here, but be prepared if you've never experienced this sort of music.



Overall, an excellent album. Dissonant, difficult pieces paired with lyric standards of classical music and trombone repertoire showcase the abilities of a truly legendary performer. Though fans of a particular style might prefer a more-focused selection, the new listener and Lindberg fan will be well-served in purchasing this CD. Four stars from me, as I have found many of the earlier Lindberg recordings to miss something production-wise. The recordings often seem empty and echoing, leaving the trombone a bit tinny and weak compared to more-recent offerings."