Review

Mark Nightingale
Turning Back the Clock:
Solo trombone and 8 trombones

London, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Jazz Material - ensemble
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

Wow. Rarely if ever have I reviewed a work with as much emotional content and musical passion as this one. The composer writes in the notes, “This composition is written in memory of my dad, Charles Nightingale, who passed away in the summer of 2004 after losing his fight against cancer. Each of the three movements represents a snapshot of a period connected with the illness.” Having recently lost a parent to cancer I was moved by the first notes of this work all the way until its powerful conclusion. Anyone with first hand knowledge of this terrible disease will be hard pressed to remain unmoved. Each of the three movements, Loss, Battle, Shock, and Hope depict a portion of the struggle that Mark and his father endured. The music is carefully crafted to depict both the general feel and also the specific moments mentioned in the program notes. The power of this music does come at a price, and that is the difficulty of the solo jazz trombone part as well as range and technical challenges in parts 1-3. Parts 4-6 are quite playable and the two bass trombone parts, 7 and 8, are difficult but within the scope of most solid undergraduate bass players. Parts and score are clearly presented with no page turn issues. Straight mute is required for parts 1-4 and Harmon for the soloist. If you have a strong jazz/lead layer with improvisational ability and some equally strong tenor players, I highly recommend this work. It is a powerful, passionate homage to a father and his battle to live against impossible odds. I salute Mark Nightingale and his ability to take such a difficult time in his life and craft such a beautiful musical remembrance. 

-Tom Zugger
Capitol University