Boosey & Hawkes

Magnus Lindberg's EXPO Whips New York into New Era

(September 2009)

"With the crack of a whip and a blast of fresh air, a new era has begun for the nation's oldest orchestra.

"Before a nationally televised audience…Alan Gilbert became the New York Philharmonic's 25th music director, opening on a bold note — the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's 'EXPO.'"
– Martin Steinberg, AP

The launch of Alan Gilbert's era at the helm of the New York Philharmonic also heralded the start of the two-year residency of Magnus Lindberg, who Los Angeles Times's Mark Swed refers to as "…a musical wild man, a kinetic composer who is both a harmonically sophisticated and flamboyant noisemaker."

The appointment is significant in that Lindberg is the first composer to hold the post in over ten years, following Jacob Druckman (1982–86) and David Del Tredici (1988–90). Citing another two B&H composers, The New York Times's Steve Smith adds, "…for only the second time in its history, the New York Philharmonic started its season with a newly commissioned work.... The other time was on Sept. 23, 1962, when Leonard Bernstein conducted Copland's 'Connotations' to celebrate the opening of the orchestra's new home, Philharmonic (now Avery Fisher) Hall."

Also significant is the world premiere of Christopher Rouse's Zizhn, commissioned by the New York Philharmonic for performance on Gilbert's inaugural season: February 10-12, 16; 2010.

Lindberg's orchestral prowess shines in EXPO:
For a score sample click here (7mb).

"The extrovert score emphasizes the possibilities of sheer orchestral sound—fleet-fingered strings, massive waves of brass and woodwind, patter for tubas and double basses."
– Barrymore Scherer, The Wall Street Journal

"It is an intense, complex and elusive piece, yet somehow celebratory. …

"The musical language is quasi-tonal for long stretches. The contemporary edge comes from the thick layering of textures to make each chord, however grounded, diffuse."
–Tony Tommasini, The New York Times

"…what a charmer it is. Fast, perpetual motion segments alternate with slow sonorous odes. It flits from lighthearted to tense and back again, never lingering for long. Before it was over in about 12 minutes, all sections of the orchestra were handsomely revealed."
– Zinta Lundborg, Bloomberg.com

"Lindberg wrote in the program that [the contrasts] symbolize Gilbert's approach to music—‘absolute technical and physical straightness' and ‘the highly irrational and mysterious part of how you put music together.'" – Martin Steinberg, AP

EXPO will be performed by the Philharmonic in Europe in January 2010. Lindberg's residency continues with the New York Philharmonic performing his Clarinet Concerto (with Kari Kriikku), Feria, and a second commission to end the season in June. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center present Lindberg works this season.

Lindberg will serve in a curatorial role throughout his tenure and will be an integral part of CONTACT, the New York Philharmonic's new-music series. In this role he will curate and conduct programs and lead the series' inaugural concert. In addition, he will also give pre-concert talks and participate in adult and youth educational programs. The Phillharmonic has created a video interview with Magnus Lindberg with his thoughts on the residency.

> Further information on Work: EXPO

Photo credit: Chris Lee

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