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2014 4BR Awards — Test Piece of the Year

Lots and lots of test pieces were performed in 2014 — some better than others it must be said. So which one was the best of the bunch though?

The nominations from the 4BR team for consideration are...

Oliver Waespi

As if a voice were in them (Oliver Waespi)

The set piece for the top section bands at the Swiss National Championship was a masterful new work of musical maturity from the increasingly influential Swiss composer.

Inspired by a 19th century Wordsworth poem, Waespi captured the elemental majesty, mystery and sheer force of nature that can be found amid the sublime beauty of the Alpine Simplon Pass.  

It is music that gives the brass band the opportunity to express itself in a modern way without losing the essential connection to its traditional tonal textures.


rOBERT sIMPSON

Energy (Robert Simpson)

Over 40 years now since it was first performed, Simpson’s remarkable composition still retains its cutting edge of cerebral difficulty - despite being derived from the simplest of thematic ideas.   

The ability of a MD to increase the pace of the music incrementally without discernible loss of underlying momentum remains an amazingly troublesome thing to do - as was shown at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship this year.  

‘Energy’ was the perfect antidote to the crass, under developed musical bling we were injected with throughout much of 2014.


Simon Dobson 

Journey of the Lone Wolf (Simon Dobson)

Dobson’s evocative work (used at the Belgian Nationals amongst others) was one of the musical delights of 2014 - and deservedly won him his second British Composer Award. 

It was a darkly edged portrait of Bela Bartok’s musical, social and political inspirations, and took the listener on a melancholic trip into the psyche of a much misunderstood composer - from the early folk music explorations, to his lonely time in America and his ultimate, sad death: A man of complex emotions, difficult relationships but undoubted genius.


Stphan Hodel

The Legend of Curupira (Stephan Hodel)

And now for something completely different; a red headed, alcohol swilling, cacked legged, pig riding, eco-warrior Brazilian dwarf.

Hodel’s First Section work at the Swiss Nationals was packed with colour, excitement, mystery, mayhem and sheer unadulterated joyfulness. It asked questions of style and musicianship, of wit and interpretation - all ending up in a samba inspired finale that left everyone in the hall - players and audiences alike - with huge smiles of satisfaction on their faces.


Ed de Boer

Vita Aeterna Variations (Ed de Boer)

A musical triumph in all senses of the word. Not just because the British Open organisers picked it, but they did so knowing it was such a lengthy and demanding work that could only be truly mastered by the very best bands in the world.

Beautifully constructed and developed from a simple theme, De Boer never resorted to artifice or effect; no single bar wasted in the pursuit of its ultimate musical goal.  As a result, the very best bands at Symphony Hall did a magnificent brass band work, full justice.



Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Dobcross Silver Band - Marsden Silver Prize Band

Sunday 27 July • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

July 25 • Ready for a NEW Music Challenge?. . Dodworth Brass Band, is looking for a new principal cornet as our current player prepares for retirement. Just 5mins from J37 M1. . friendly welcoming band with a packed calendar of exciting concerts & events. . . S75 3RF


Enderby Band

July 24 • Enderby Band (Leicestershire) are a Championship section band looking for: Bb BASS & PERCUSSION (expressions of interest from any perc disciplines are welcome). We are an ambitious, friendly, band with a sensibly full calendar of contests and concerts.


The Marple Band

July 24 • Cornet( back row), Baritone, Horn, Bb Bass and Kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Stan Lippeatt

BA, LRSM
Conductor, adjudicator, tutor


               

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