The composition, created in collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Radio France, and Norddeutscher Rundfunk, premiered in 2021 under Hannu Lintu's direction. It features a single 15-minute movement that embodies a raw power reminiscent of Sibelius, yet reimagined for the 21st century. Critics praise its nightmarish quality, likening it to the middle movements of Mahler's Seventh Symphony, while highlighting its shimmering strings and ominous brass, creating a vivid nocturnal landscape. The work is noted for its complexity and depth.
Magnus Lindberg Book order






- 2024
- 2024
- 2019
Composed in 1998 to celebrate Esa-Pekka Salonen's 40th birthday, this piece features a score for horn and chamber orchestra. It reflects Salonen's early musical roots as a horn player and is inspired by one of his earlier works for the same instrument. The first performance was conducted by Salonen himself, highlighting the personal connection between the composer and the conductor.
- 2019
Violin Concerto No. 2: Violin and Orchestra Study Score
- 96 pages
- 4 hours of reading
Commissioned by prestigious orchestras including the London Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic, this 25-minute continuous work from 2015 is dedicated to violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann. The composition is structured into three movements plus a cadenza, incorporating performance insights from Zimmermann, enhancing its interpretative depth.
- 2019
Tempus Fugit: Orchestra Study Score
- 144 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Commissioned to commemorate the centenary of Finland's independence, this piece premiered on December 6, 2017, in Helsinki, performed by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. It reflects a significant historical moment, blending musical artistry with national pride, capturing the essence of Finland's journey over the past century.
- 2018
Piano Album: Piano
- 33 pages
- 2 hours of reading
Magnus Lindberg's collection features his shorter piano works from 2001 onward, showcasing a range of uncommissioned tributes and commissioned pieces. Highlights include "Etude I," created for the Festival Octobre en Normandie, and "Eloge," a musical postcard for Casa da Musica's anniversary. Other notable works pay homage to figures like Paul Crossley and Steven Stucky, reflecting Lindberg's deep connections to the music community. Each piece captures a unique moment in time, blending personal homage with contemporary classical influences.
- 2018
Commissioned by MusicNOW for a 12-member symphonic brass ensemble, this 13-minute composition showcases contemporary music. It premiered in 2005, performed by the brass players of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, highlighting its significance within the modern classical repertoire. The piece reflects innovative techniques and the unique sound of brass instruments, making it a notable addition to the genre.
- 2017
Focusing on melodic structure, the composer explores a new approach in "Acequia Madre," created in 2012. Drawing inspiration from notable composers like Iannis Xenakis and Alban Berg, the work reflects a deep engagement with the scores of these artists. The composer emphasizes the rewarding challenge of mastering acoustic instruments, celebrating the physicality of performance in contrast to the ease of electronic music. This piece invites musicians to push their boundaries and embrace virtuosity in their craft.
- 2017
Focusing on musical meditation, the composition draws inspiration from Bach's choral work, which itself is a harmonization of a 1662 hymn. Unlike Bach and Berg's pieces, it lacks an extramusical program, emphasizing a unique harmonic structure. The composer likens the interplay of harmonies to the changing tides, where hidden elements emerge during ebb. Nick Kimberley's foreword provides context for Bach's original and its later influence, enriching the understanding of this contemporary interpretation.
- 2013
Al Largo: Orchestra
- 116 pages
- 5 hours of reading