British Open 2002 - The Adjudicators Remarks Well
you've read our opinion of the winning bands performances - now's the chance to
read what the adjudicators had to say.
We thought
we'd bring you their thoughts (they couldn't quite bring themselves to tell us
off the stage could they now) and to tell you the truth, they reveal exactly what
they were looking for. Why they couldn't tell the public then is just beyond us. Many
thanks to Mr Martin Mortimer and the organisers for allowing us the opportunity
to bring you these details. Once more they seem to be talking a step in the right
direction. We are unable to produce all the details from Michael Ball's
comments as the photocopies of his very good handwriting didn't show through too
well (He used a blue fountain pen which meant that the copies were very poor)
- We could only make out some bare details - Sorry! (We'll try and get them later
in the week)
1. Buy As You View Cory Well-balanced
handling of the opening with convincing sense of growth & decay to each gesture.
Fine shaping and assured rhythmic ensemble in the Maestoso leading naturally into
the Allegro molto with alert clarity of definition to the exposed athletic detail,
yet retaining a relaxed poise to allow flexible rhythmic shaping where appropriate
in the more lyrical & thoughtful ideas. The section was built to a formidable
& authoritative climax.
Commendable building of overall shape at P and lead in to the Passacaglia. There
was plenty to admire in the playing here also - a taut sense of the long-term
architecture of the work yet with the stretch necessary to provide detailed identity
and characterisation of each and every gesture - outstanding playing. The section
grew to its climax with natural authority and assurance. You coped ably with the
exposed sustained writing of the extended final section, maintaining the tension
throughout and ensuring integrity of each line within the texture along with some
admirable focus to sonority in the tutti.
Utterly compelling - a memorable performance.
Michael Ball Opening well controlled, just the right balance, light
touch on the vibes. B - a touch loud in cornets sweet horns at 27. 37 - Cornets
a seamless robe, great Maestoso, so well balanced and the DETAIL!! 80 -
Stylish S. Drum. No fussiness in the quick interpolations. K - excellent quality
both tonally and technique. 227 - again such splendid detail. 260 - Great music
making. 312 - all the phrases finish off meaningfully. 346 - Trombonists (both
Bass and 2nd) artistic. 393 - Great ensemble - timp first rate match with Bb bass
(sorry! Same octaves). Tempo 1 magnificent chording and such a fine blend of the
2 tenor troms and B.T (baritone). 458 - expressive soprano. DD - the chorale phrasing
is impeccable. 487 - onwards is pure magic. What a delight - a great musical treat. William
Relton
Fine opening. Menacing at A - just what is needed, so well balanced. Superb sounds
up to
Maestoso. Perfect coordination between perc and band Allegro
- so musical, nothing missed in dynamics! K - descending figures in horns
a feature and clarity. 238 - crisp but powerful too! I sit back and enjoy your
music making! V - fine Bass trom and 2nd trom but everything is so well
shaped and graded. Y - Timp spot on! AA - Aggressive but not out of control
- good pause before Temp Primo. Contrary motion so well portrayed. Let the 2nd
cornet through! At 453. All parts are heard from BB. DD Superb playing from all.
Well controlled through to final bars. A fine performance - so well directed. David
Read.
2. Fodens
Opening tam - tam a touch early. Nice horns and great cornet
entries with well placed vibes. 23 - Great entry lower cornets (so well balanced)
Great scale to end. Maestoso - well balanced. 88 - Fine detail. 116 - Neat
soprano. 156 - colourful timp line. K - beautiful sound. 244 - Full of character
well balanced. 260 - Great cresc and dim the texture of sound and the tonal quality
are great. 356 - the rhythm rocks slightly, (lyrical 2nd trom and energetic cornets).
Z - Most exciting. 438 after a great start at Temp Primo a disappointing attack
both in Trombones and cornets. BB - such a good sound, soprano espressivo comes
through well. DD - Exquisite colours. 493 - what a great touch the vibraphone
player has! Ensemble terrific - the ending was pure poetry. Great musicianship
all round - a very fine interpreter leads. William Relton Excellent
opening bars, but Euph just a little strong. However, lovely sounds pervade and
so soft! Bass line is so sonorous. E - Neat and all in its proper place
L - Well done with clarity Ritornello Fanfare fine at 224. The sea swells
are effective. A lovely light texture and colours at R. Fine Troms and the
main tune is always heard Timp fine and does not swamp the band. Pause lovely
at 436 Tentative at 437 for a moment or two! Again at BB you are a little
uncomfortable. 458 - well done sop. Theme heard and good effect at 474
DD onwards you take risks and they nearly come off - Atmosphere created with such
breadth and space. Fine performance - so musical David Read Michael
Ball's comments included "a thoughtful and sensitive conclusion containing
the magic and mystery very conclusively". 3. Black Dyke Opening
very atmospheric - elegant percussion. A - Horns a bit loud, excellent timp. B
- why so loud cornets? 26 - 2nd Cornet flags 37 - untidy chording in cornets,
great octaves in trom, euph and bass! 45 - Nice detail careful playing perc 73
- Nice clear runs F - Lovely cornet tone.
K - Well balanced lots extensive detail here.
244 - Stylish
P - Great cresc and dim also S
346 - Stylish Bass trom and others in section
Y - Neat timpani
Z - Well held rhythm 436 - Nice ensemble. 453 - the fives are practically
triplet 3's
CC - Sparkling soprano. 477 - Nice ensemble, lovely toned Bb bass. 486 - last
beat out of tune. 495 - Great 3rd cornet - troms a touch loud - a magical ending
from very quiet horns. William Relton
Opening bar lacks clarity and Euph starts instead of joining in! Vib effective.
B - heard but rather loud. All goes well with well rounded sounds - fine
Bass line bar 39. I enjoy your playing to E and then the new descending
motif is clearly heard! A lack of clarity at L. Good contrast and dynamic
at P. Troms play a good part, particularly bass trom from V. Y - Timp effective
and spot on! Good balance on pause (436) Well done 2nd cornet (453)
- Euph dominates bar! (463) DD - good ensemble. Heavy but perhaps in proportion.
Fine closing bars. A good performance but with minor lapses. Well
shaped with good colour. David Read Michael Ball's comments
included "Committed playing." "Impressive", "A good sense
of direction", "Some dynamics perhaps overstated - a well controlled
and effective ending"
4. Brighouse and Rastrick
Effective opening. A- Good balance, lovely
sound into B - all well balanced and in tune. Light texture when required. Maestoso
- fine playing - neat! F - Excellent well phrased and the musicalpicture
emerges - fine percussion team. P - Canonic figures good
Q - Balance - just right I admire the lovely clean and clear lines of your
interpretation, the menace is always just under the surface as it should be. Fine
pause at 436 Slight mistake at Temp Primo however theme in trom is well
judged. 2nd cornet at 453 fine. A careful build as required to CC. B drum
rather heavy! Chorale is measured is effective. A well controlled musical
performance - nothing overdone David Read
Opening nicely atmospheric, horns a touch loud. Cornet entries colourful 12 -
better - nice vibes. Euph, Hrn and Bar blend well bar 20. 35 - Sweet tones band.
Maestoso
- Nice character tubular bells and steady rhythms. 87 - Neat horns, also sop at
116. 183 - A lovely rich blend of tones. 260 - Effective. 336 - Good ensemble
Troms and Side Drum. However Side Drum overdoes the cresc to forte (only the first
time though) 393 - a good climax and some neat timp playing later. 437 - a good
start, and an excellently balanced bottom edge of the band, troms particularly
sonorous. 458 - Don't drown the soprano please, a well shaped crescendo to a carefully
prepared climax. 473 - the Bass Drum is only ff not tutti forza. The ending most
musical.
William Relton
5. Cwmaman Institute Silver
Excellent opening bars! The music
flows forward as it should. Bar 26 - Very good 2/3cornets! Fine pause before Maestoso. A
lovely light touch evident from E. All parts are heard to great effect from
K The majesty always evident from bar 244 - just the right amount of mystery
and menace! Just at times I feel I would like a little more clarity of you could
give it eg. 307 AA - Well graded in dynamics. Bar 437 just a little untidy.
What a pity. Troms fine. I feel you are tiring in upper cornets 448 onwards. BB
- contrary motion effective. Theme appears well at 474. Good texture and colours
from DD. Perc tasteful! Bar 501 loose! Not without slight lapses but enjoyable
and great care taken. David Read.
Opening sensitive, fine cornet entries after A. B - delicate cornets, effective
basses. 39 - also euph and trom. Maestoso clear. Nice perc. 68 - Clear bass line.
H - Tam tam a bit too discreet. 260 - a slightly muffled start. R - lovely cornet
sound. S - rather better in clarity. 336 - Fine trombones and later B. Trom solo
great! Also Trom 2
Y - Fine climax and enhanced by artistic timp playing.
421 - Fine dim. 437 - Ensemble flags here. BB - much better. CC - Dominant soprano,
well thought out and balanced well. 482 - after etc coma there is a hitch in the
ensemble. 487 - a little poor in the tuning. EE - uncomfortable start in the basses.
This final section is not so good as the open, the band is tiring. Lovely interpretation.
William Relton.
6. Williams Fairey
Good start. A - Not together to start! Good tuning
bars 20/1/2 B - Uncomfortable, you recover and atmosphere created with sonorous
bass sounds. Maestoso - well-controlled and balanced chords. There are some minor
lapses but also some very neat playing as at K. Don't overdo L. Don't get too
aggressive so the sound becomes hard from N P - Sea churns well! In the
canonic figures. Side drum heavy from bar 336 - all goes well. Positive playing
through to AA. Good pause at 436. Tempo Primo. A little discomfort in upper
register cornets. Theme in trom secure. 453 - Well done 2nd cornet. Sonorous
sounds through to CC and I fell you capture the spirit of the music. Trom tuning
needs care 495/496. A good performance spoiled a little by some looseness
and minor lapses. David Read.
Opening delicate - almost fragile well balanced horns and cornets safe attack.
12 - Ensemble poor, nice vibes. 23 - again the attack was not together. 35 - Nice
build up. Lovely cornet chording. MAESTOSO - Good start. C - good basses. 88 -
Nice figurings in horns. 116 - Sop scratches the surface. 149 - Neat cornets.
183 - Nicely toned here. L - a bit ferocious - there's nothing more than "ff".
260 - Effective and catching the spirit. 302 - likewise. V - the cornets are almost
inaudible. 337 - Side drum only "f" here. 393 - Timp and bass drum blend
well, a great ending before Tempo 1. Starts well, but cracks at end of bar 2 -
upper cornets. 458 - the soprano should get through more here. CC - Just like
this!! DD - Nicely toned. 495 - Trombone intonation faulty. Nice horns at ending.
- Just a shade over the top in dynamics.
William Relton (although this
was not signed)
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