ARTICLES

British Open Coverage 2002:

4BarsRest takes a retrospective look back at the action, thrills and spills of the 150th contest.

If ever there was a day that encapsulated the highs and lows of contesting, then the 150th British Open was it. The highs - in terms of the standard of the winning performance, the test piece and how the day was organised and run, came very close to as good as there ever has been, whilst the lows - and there were a few in terms of some of the performances, the refusal of the judges to explain themselves to the paying public and the audience’s reaction to the music (don’t the judges realise the two are linked), were at times bordering on the disturbing.

At the end of the day though, quality won through - and what quality it was. Buy As You View Cory produced a performance that was as musically compelling as it was technically perfect - a combination that saw them take the title for the second time in three years, and gave further credence to the opinion that the best band in the land no longer resides somewhere between Yorkshire and Lancashire, but in South Wales. To misuse a horse racing metaphor - BAYV Cory had won the Derby by a clear two and half-lengths.

Given that this was against a high quality thoroughbred field, the victory was even more impressive, especially as fancied runners such as Fodens, YBS, Black Dyke and Williams Fairey played to form (there or thereabouts) and still had to be content with lesser spots in the final unsaddling enclosure.

The test piece was also a very big plus point for 4BR as well - although for the majority of the audience we think it proved as popular as an attack of the squits after a dodgy Birmingham Indian curry. At one point we counted just over 200 people in the audience to listen to a very decent band, whilst for one of the traditional “Cup of Tea” bands there was approximately 100 with their bums on the plush red seats. Given as we were very reliably informed that the hall was a sell out, this was a very disturbing scene - as disturbing as a night raid on the Maunsell Forts themselves.

The organisation was top notch - the way in which the bands are catered for sets the standard for others to follow and there is always a very pleasant atmosphere between the organisers and the bands themselves - open and willing. They should also be wholeheartedly congratulated for their choice of set work, and should be strong and willing enough to persevere with composers who have something fresh and challenging to say. We can only hope we get to hear more pieces such the “Maunsell Forts” - the “Old Farts” will (as we said they would) complain loudly and hark back to the days of second rate orchestral transcriptions and mediocre standardised brass band “classics” - but they are wrong with this work, and wrong to vote with their feet as a great number of them did on Saturday. These are works that the brass band world needs, and for the most part is starved of. They are challenging to both players and Musical Directors and require audiences to use their intelligence and be receptive to welcome new ideas.

Having pieces full of musical acrobatics is fine enough, but there is so much more a brass band can do in terms of musical performance. A brief chat with the composer himself was an illuminating experience - the man has so many intelligent thoughts. Interesting to hear though that he won’t be writing for brass bands for a while though. It’s our loss. Without the likes of McCabe we will not progress, but if we fail to educate and inform our audience of how these works can ultimately benefit us as a whole, then we are all the poorer for it. If the audiences wanted nostalgia then they should have spent their hard earned cash for a ticket for the Harry Mortimer Gala Concert (and even that wasn’t sold out).

Back to the winning performance though. BAYV Cory were drawn 16 (lucky in a way, as it had provided the winners twice in the past four year) but by the time the band had finished their performance, there was no need for them to cross their fingers or look for some lucky heather. As we said at the time, this was a top class performance and left no one in doubt that they were leading the field with just three bands to go. They weren’t to be denied either and justifiably took the honours. The performance had detail, style and most importantly atmosphere, and was a compelling rendition. We spoke to John McCabe himself after the results and he told us that he felt that the winning performance was as close as he could have hoped a band could make his music sound.

The judges also concurred, with David Read telling us that it was an immensely satisfying performance to listen to, and one that captured the essence of the composers musical thoughts, whilst Michael Ball revealed that he felt the winners captured the different moods, especially the sense of anxiety that the servicemen stationed on the forts must have felt during night time raids.

BAYV Cory therefore took the coveted trophy back to Wales for a second time and underlined that since Robert Childs took over the helm they are now the band to beat on the contest stage. 2000 saw them become Double Millennium Champions, whilst last year they came 3rd at the Open, 5th at the Nationals and runners up at the European. Now they are Open Champions again, and will be a short priced favourite to regain the National title come October and the Royal Albert Hall.

Fodens took the runners up spot - some recompense for the result of 2001, but one that will still see them feel disappointed, and still waiting for a first Open success since 1964. Bram Tovey gave the music a breadth and detail that marked them out in the early part of the day, but there were a few uneasy moments that may have ultimately cost them. There was a timp entry that seemed so far out to cause Mr Tovey to raise more than an eyebrow and some blips and blobs elsewhere, but the musical picture was superb. Whoever let their mobile phone to ring at the exact moment the band was about to start the second section of the piece most probably cacked themselves silly, but as the ring tone sounded like a softly brushed bell tree it very nearly sounded as if it was written. The scramble of the audience to try and check their scores to see if they had missed something was almost comical. Alan Wycherly was also on inspired form and deservedly took the honours as the “Best Instrumentalist” of the day and on this form London can’t come soon enough.

Black Dyke played three and came third - a considerable achievement given that the number hasn’t provided a single winner or runner up since 1970 and just the one third place. This wasn’t Dyke on scintillating form either, and there were too many little moments of uncertainty to mark them out as winners. Some cornet entries were insecure and the tuning in places suffered, but it was a performance that had huge contrasts in dynamics and the effects were at times awesome. They looked resigned to their fate somewhat as they left the stage and so it proved when the results were announced. They will travel to London though with a determination not to fail again.

Fourth place went to Dykes traditional rivals Brighouse and Rastrick under the very eloquent baton of Ian McElligott. This was a performance that had the basics done very well indeed and that in itself created a lot of the atmosphere the piece required. It possibly lacked a bit of excitement in the faster passages and became a bit bland, but this was Brighouse back on form and with the possible first green shoots of a musically successful partnership starting to show through. London could very well see them feature highly.

Fifth place. What can we say about the fifth place of Cwmaman Institute Silver. It was a shock to the audience, and most probably (and truthfully) to the band themselves, but the judges thought that they created a very solid and well interpreted account of the music, with David Read commenting to us that they felt that it had clear and well defined lines with fine direction from the middle. We felt it was a good show from the band and congratulated them (especially as it came off number 2), but we didn’t feel it was a performance that could have featured as high up as it did. In fact we had them in a midfield position, more than halfway down the final list. Well done though and once again, the Open still has the capacity to spring a shock or two and we did say in our preview that we felt one banding “outsider” could make a mark.

The final place in the frame went to Williams Fairey, who had the benefit of playing last band on, but who just couldn’t do enough to give them the title under new MD, Allan Withington. Lots of fine playing again, but at times it sounded a little bland and a dodgy opening few bars may have cost dearly. They produced a lovely sound though and have a wonderful balanced ensemble, but it was the little things that did for them and they were even a bit on the “safe” side in places. A bit more of a cavalier approach and they could have closed in on the very top few places.

Just out of the frame came a few bands who on another occasion may well have featured more highly in the prizes, with Yorkshire Imperial Rothwell, Tredegar and Yorkshire Building Society - the latter two leaving with a justified air of disappointment about them.

Imps were good value and played to their strengths, with a no nonsense performance that had much to merit, whilst Tredegar once more performed with musicality and no little finesse to claim 8th place. They possibly should have come in the top six with comfort on another day - but that’s contesting for you. They were unlucky. YBS meanwhile were very unlucky indeed and gave a performance that was almost orchestral in its breadth and shape. As he had done in the European, David King didn’t rely on pace to create the sense of urgency and intimidation the music portrayed, but went for a more subtle change of tempo and sense of style. It made for a performance that really made you think, yet it didn’t capture the ears of the judges and although the obvious qualities still shone through, it was perhaps the approach that didn’t impress the judges. It was a great pity as it was the one performance of the day for us that really pushed BAYV Cory the closest.

After this came a whole batch of bands that on any other day would have come between 10th and 16th - they were all very much alike both in terms of the musical approach and the number of little errors that cost them the chance to challenge higher. The standard of these performances was a class below those that came above them on the day and although the bands involved are good outfits, on this outing they played below expectation and form.

Whitburn once more showed enough class and poise to head the Scottish contingent and fend off the likes of Leyland who had to be content with 11th place. Both bands had simple (and that’s not being derogative) interpretations to the music, and did just about what it said on the tin. It made for solid and unpretentious performances, but ones that just lacked the edge of hidden excitement that the others above them had. They had more left in the tank, which went unused on this occasion.

Kirkintilloch took home with them the 12th place spot - a fair return for their performance that somehow didn't ever catch the imagination. Perhaps they went for a safety first reading, but it left you with the feeling they too could have done much more.

Besses O’ th’ Barn had the honour of giving the premier performance and they did a good job of it in the circumstances to come 13th. It was well directed by Lynda Nicholson who gave the young band plenty of space and well chosen tempos to create the picture. They were nervous for sure (the vibraphone wasn’t on at the beginning), but there was plenty of talent on show to ensure that come next year they won’t be as overawed.

Grimethorpe however won’t be a pleased bunch of chaps for sure. 14th place was an immense let down for the band, but in all honesty they couldn’t complain too much as they went for an interpretation that was just a little too different. If the judges had liked it then they could have possibly have won, but they obviously didn’t and 14th was the result. They are a fine band, but the interpretation was a huge risk and it didn’t pay off big time.

Ever Ready gave a performance that had its moments to come home 15th, but it never sparkled enough to make a greater impression, but still benefited from Ray Farr’s sensible approach to the music, whilst CWS Glasgow had a bad day at the office and sounded very much like a band in the process of rebuilding. 16th this year added to their 15th place last year meant that they were relegated back to the Grand Shield. It may be hard on them as a band, but they are currently a shadow of their former selves. They will find it hard to get back to the Open for 2004 on current form.

The bottom three bands were made up of Travelsphere Holidays in 17th place, Glossop in 18th and Carlton Main in 19th and last.

Travelsphere in the last three years have gone from 7th in 2000, to 10th last year and now 17th. They didn’t play well this year and will have to perform very well next time around to avoid the Grand Shield drop. It wasn’t the type of performance we have come to expect from them in recent years. Glossop Old struggled this time around, and since they qualified in 2000 where they came 14th they have since come 20th and now 18th and will be back at the Grand Shield in 2003 as well. It would be unfair to suggest they were outclassed, but as well as they performed, it wasn’t going to be enough to make any more of an impression that it finally did.

Carlton Main brought up the rear of the field, and we thought this to be more than a little unlucky. They had their moments of good playing, but sounded short on confidence and couldn’t really capitalise on some obvious good qualities. William Rushworth did an almost heroic job at the helm, but it needed a performance of heroic standards to have saved them, and on the day it wasn’t enough. They will on this form be strong contenders at the Shield though if they can recover from losing their place in the Premiership. We wish them well.

With that it was all over, and then came the usual speeches and awards. Garry Cutt and Betty Anderson deservedly took the applause from an almost full hall for their Worshipful Company of Musician Awards, whilst there was a special honour from the New Zealand Brass Band Association to Bob Mullholland of the Brass Band World magazine. It couldn’t have been awarded to a nicer chap.

A couple of others took home some awards - notably Jean Frost for her sterling work behind the scenes over the years and the five young winners of the Mortimer Trust awards.

The composer himself gave a short speech that illuminated his thoughts behind his fine composition - a somewhat thankless task after the compere had made the truly crass remark to the audience of, “Some of you would have liked the test piece and some of you will have hated it!” The composer had the dignity not to mention it and thanked one and all for his delight in hearing all the bands perform his work so well. Lets hope he writes again (although many in audience would disagree).

The judges decided once more to stay silent - the excuse (and it is becoming a very feeble one) is that they had decided that they have said all they had to say in their “extensive remarks” to the bands. What about the public then? Isn’t their money good enough to justify an explanation? This is fast becoming laughable in it’s amateurism and needs to be sorted out by the organisers. If the judges won’t talk don’t employ them - the paying public have had enough of being treated in such a way, especially when a composition such as this demands an intelligent, cogent explanation of it’s merits, tests, character and musical picture by the people charged with finding the band that has performed it the best. For those in the audience who found the piece difficult to listen to and understand, it’s not a lot to ask is it, and it would be so revealing and so beneficial to the whole process of engaging new works.

The awards up next and BAYV Cory’s triumph. What a high. For Glossop Old, Carlton Main and CWS Glasgow it was the low of relegation to the Grand Shield. Contest days are never ever boring, and the 150th British Open had done it again. Everyone went back to their cars, buses or hotels with opinions and thoughts, highlights and lowlights to discuss, argue and debate. It was one heck of a vibrant and important day in the ongoing history of our greatest competition.

© 4BarsRest

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