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2004 Norwegian National Championships
Grieghallen,
Bergen
February 13th - 15th
Elite Division
Here are our live comments for each of the 'set work' performances
Elite division
Dommere/Adjudicators:
Jens T. Larson, Henrik Vagn Christensen og Isabelle Ruf-Weber
Test piece:
Graffiti - Knut Vaage
Commences: 18.00
Trekning/Draw:
Sandefjord Brass Symposium, John Philip Hannevik, 1, 18.00
A rather understated performance overall we felt. Many of the linking strands
didn't quite knit together and the muted effects didn't always project and speak.
It was a performance that just needed some extra drive - maybe from the percussion
- together with a slightly more committed approach to the musical idea. The ending
was quite excellent though! Maybe we are being a bit harsh here - but that's
the luck of the draw.
Manger Musikklag, Jesper Juul Sørensen, 2, 18.20
A fine show overall and well shaped from the MD. Lots of time and space was given,
letting the individual lines come throguh. These were clearly defined and musically
developed. A great foundation and percussion drove the music when needed. A magical
ending to a finely structured performance.
Krohnengen Brass Band, Ray Farr, 3, 18.40
An up tempo approach that held its pace to the end. Some blemishes and smaller
ideas in the individual lines again didn't speak, but the undelying shape was
clear. Small errors did detract a little, and it ended with the horns dominating
a little too much for us. MD knew what was required - but the band didn't always
give him what he wanted. A good show though.
Ila Brass Band, Thomas Rimul, 4, 19.00
Just lacks real clarity and quality in both individual and ensemble lines, denying
the effects their presence. The percussion generally lacks clarity even at such
a loud volume - more detail is lost. Fine efforts from soloists but the general
volume stios the detail coming through. A performance that just lacked atmosphere
for us.
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, Reid Gilje, 5, 19.20
Super opening - lots of detail and balance. Excellent individual lines that link
together. A real sense of purpose throughout. Percussion feature is top notch
stuff and the MD has a real understanding of the musical picture. Some uneasy
solo moments towards the end, but what a great finish. A tremendous show.
Tertnes Brass, Bjørn Breistein, 6, 20.00
Another performance that lacked clarity in both solo and ensemble lines - the
high volume masks the detail. Individual errors detract as it sounds too forced
at times. A little less hardness would have helped considerably. A fine close
though, but overall it didn't seem comfortable.
Oslofjord Brass, Christian Tenfjord, 7, 20.20
Again - there's no sense of detail - it's submerged in the sound too often. Percussion
overpower a little and the individual errors don't help. MD allows time to shape,
but the slips take off the gloss. It generally lacks dynamic and tonal contrast.
A brave finish to an average show.
Jaren Hornmusikkforening, Helge Haukås, 8, 20.40
A pacy start, but this is undermined by some nasty individual errors that detract
from the overall picture. The musical shape is evident but so are the costly
slips. The performance then becomes generally messy from the percussion feature
onwards. The final section just doesn't quite come off. A shame.
Stavanger Brass Band, David King, 9, 21.00
The layers of the music are revealed and the shape and directional line is there
for everyone to hear. Percussion feature is quite brilliant - a balance with
the band that few have managed today. This continues with panache through to
an ending with real anticipation and atmosphere. Some liberties (it wouldn't
be David King otherwise) in the euph line though! Overall - A little corker!
Molde Brass Band, Alan Morrison, 10, 21.20
A little light sounding but has clarity and detail. Nice individual feature,
but it is a little on the safe side. Excellent percussion section - the rhythms
are all heard. Fine section after this, that then leads to a good close. A good
performance this!
So what do we think is the state of the leaderboard?
It's very close at the top for us, but we think Stavanger may just be edging
it by a half a point from Eikanger! It could go either way though. Manger also
impressed us as did Krohnengen and Molde. Below that - the standard dropped away.
So... here's our run down...
1. Stavanger
2. Eikanger
3. Manger
4. Krohnengen
5. Molde
6. Sandefjord
7. Ila
8. Olslofjord
9. Jaren Hornmusikkforening
10. Tertnes
Of course - we're probably completely wrong!
Copyright 4BR
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