In the world of pop music, it’s not uncommon for a new song to be recorded in the studio before it’s actually performed in public. In the world of concert music, this sometimes happens as well.

The Swedish trombone virtuoso Christian Lindberg was planning a compact disc of American trombone concertos, but he needed a piece to fill out his disc. While in Las Vegas, Lindberg heard the premiere of a new orchestral work by the American composer Augusta Read Thomas, and was very impressed. “I asked if by chance she’d written a trombone concerto,” recalled Lindberg, “or if she had any suggestions for a suitable piece for the CD.” Thomas, for her part, was equally impressed by Lindberg’s playing. “I’ll write you a piece!” was the reply, and the result, a trombone concerto entitled “Meditation” was finished in the fall of 1995.

The first performance of “Meditation” took place during Lindberg’s recording sessions in Wales with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Grant Llewellyn. Those sessions were wrapped up on today’s date in 1995, and the compact disc released the following year.

Writing about her music, Thomas states, “I am not concerned with commercial success; rather I am concerned with speaking honestly, which will hopefully (not necessarily) lead me towards truth. Meditation is dedicated to Christian Lindberg, with admiration for his beautiful playing.”