Review

Ian McDougall
Nostalgica I:
solo trombone and eight trombones

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2004
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with brass
Secondary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 9+ trombones (choir)

Nostalgica I is a simple ballad dedicated to the late J.J. Johnson. McDougall creates a pretty ballad with jazz voicing that can feature a guest soloist or any competent college trombonist with some jazz experience. The octet parts are simple; a double trigger bass trombone is required for the bottom part. Part 1 in the octet carries some of the melodic interest and requires a trombonist with good control of the upper register, up to c2. The soloist alternately plays the melodic line and provides melodic obbligato when the melody is in the octet. A short section in the middle of the piece affords the soloist the option of playing chord changes, a written out solo, or some combination of the two, depending on the ability of the soloist. Solo range is not high, f to c2, but its passages contain leaps requiring an ear for jazz melodic lines. Parts are written to allow for different ability levels within the ensemble, a nice feature. Parts 4 through 6 contain easy and sustained lines, while parts 1 through 3 contain some melodic lines, commentary to the solo parts and slightly more difficult rhythms. The octet contains two bass trombone parts, and though part 1 could be played on tenor trombone, two bass trombones will bring forward a warmer sound. Nostalgica I provides an interesting change of pace to any trombone ensemble program and is easily accessible to most college and advanced high school groups. It is a nice addition to the trombone choir literature.

-Dr. Timothy Howe
University of Missouri