Nightingale: Our House - Solo Jazz Trombone & Chamber Orchestra

To download the sample score click on the link below
https://warwickmusic.egnyte.com/dl/Y6DYYSm7Dr/TB932_sample_score.pdf_


Our House is a major new work by internationally renowned British jazz trombonist Mark Nightingale. It is scored for jazz trombone and chamber orchestra and is in three movements.

The idea for a piece to feature jazz trombone and chamber orchestra for ITF 2009 was conceived by Niels-Ole Bo Johansen and Mark Nightingale at the International Trombone Festival in Birmingham, England. Over a quiet drink they became embroiled in an in-depth discussion on all aspects of music, and specifically new repertoire for the trombone.

Inspiration for the piece, which was written during May 2009, came from the name of the host city, Aarhus, of International Trombone Festival 2009. When spoken with English intonation it sounded very much like the words Our House and so Mark Nightingale looked inward to the members of his family and wrote a movement for each of them.

Orchestration: solo jazz trombone, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe (doubling cor anglais), Bb clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), bassoon, trumpet in Bb (+cup, straight and harmon mutes), horn in F (+mute), tenor trombone (+cup and straight mutes), piano, harp and percussion (glockenspiel, vibraphone, snare drum and bass drum).
ITA Journal Review (Jan 2014) copyright International Trombone Association

Trombonist Mark Nightingale composed this work for the 2009 International Trombone Festival, inspired by its host city Aarhus, Denmark (the title is a play on the city name) and by his family members, writing a movement dedicated to his wife, daughter, and son. The orchestration is for solo jazz trombone, two violins, viola, cello, classical double bass, flute, oboe doubling cor anglais, B-flat clarinet doubling bass clarinet, bassoon, B-flat trumpet, horn, tenor trombone, classical piano, harp, and one percussionist playing glockenspiel, vibraphone, snare drum, and bass drum.
The initial Scherzo is a jaunty piece in a two-feel, in the style of an English country dance. After its pleasing exposition the soloist improvises over the ensemble’s varying backgrounds. The chord changes are readily accessible for anyone used to the ii-V’s of standard tunes, with A sections in E-flat and a bridge in G before the tune recaps in E.

The Lento movement opens with a woodwind/string chorale yielding to muted brass with harp and piano, welcoming the beautiful solo melody in F, ensuing improvised solo, and tune-recap in G. A brief transition moves towards the B-flat Presto final movement and its march quality, where the initial melody repeats in a series of Arbanlike ornamented variations. A 6/8 ‘Listesso passage in G minor propels towards a brief ad-lib solo section before returning to duple meter and a more extended solo section in B-flat with playful backgrounds.
The chamber orchestra ranges are moderate; and though members must play in sixteenth runs at times, their parts are well within an average level of difficulty. Only four of the soloist’s pitches fall below c; so a triggerhorn is not required; and though the upper range for the movements extends to high c-sharp2, d2, and ultimately one high f2, edits could certainly be made if all else in the part were attainable. The solo part is all bass clef, and the entire score is playable by more experienced university students. Movements span 5-7 minutes each. The notation is extremely readable, printed in high quality. Of small concern is that while the notation reveals the phrasing quality for the chamber winds, it does not accommodate breathing needs, as the phrases are often quite long. So you will need to add markings in rehearsal.

It is clear that Mark Nightingale set out to write a jazz trombone concerto that would be accessible to play, bridge written and unwritten parts, be fun for all involved to perform, and bring delight to the listener. Achieved!

Antonio J. Garcia Virginia Commonwealth University

All purchases from our website are for a digital copy.  
 
Warwick Music Publishing print sheet music is distributed globally and exclusively by Hal Leonard Europe. You can buy printed sheet music from a number of their approved retailers.

SKU: TB932
Composer: Mark Nightingale
Difficulty: Advanced
Instrumentation: Tenor Trombone; Orchestra 
Range: A2-F5