Monday 29, 12:57:38
Homeward bound...
The 4BR team is now on their way home from a memorable 42nd European Brass Band Championships.
The organisation of the event was superb, with the Swiss Brass Band Federation led by Arian Brun, the most welcoming of hosts.
The competitions themselves were excellent with some wonderful test pieces in each of the sections, whilst the standard of playing was exceptional.
Our thanks also to the World of Brass team who we linked up with to provide the accompaniment to the live broadcast of the action. We hope everyone enjoyed it.
Full news reports and some retrospective reviews to come in the next 24 hours or so when we finally make it home.
Thanks Montreux — it was a truly wonderful event,
Sunday 28, 17:52:15
Reactions...
Thanks to @EBBC2019 for an amazing #eurobrass19, thanks to Montreux and #swissbrass for such a well run event, thanks for the support @TyCerdd_org Congratulations to all the bands, such an amazing event! Looking forward to Palanga 2020.
— Graham Howe (@graham_howe) April 28, 2019
Fantastic achievement guys! So proud of you all! And glad we were able to help with your fundraising journey. #EuroBrass19
Paul Lovatt-Cooper (@plcmusic) April 28, 2019
Absolutely amazing playing from all the youth bands today. Incredible high standard on all the bands and their featured soloists. Difficult to pick a favourite to win! #ebbc2019
Morten E. Hansen (@MortenEHansen) April 28, 2019
Congratulations @LionsYouthBand & @NigelBirch6 on your fantastic journey! To take 40+ young Brass players, all who live & attend school locally, qualify for #EuroBrass19, raise '25,000 & take them all to perform in a once in a lifetime experience is what it's all about-brilliant! https://t.co/CEWtOJ1dic
John barber (@Johntrom75) April 28, 2019
2019 European Youth Championships Best Soloist @AdamHWarburton #ebbc19 #EBBC2019 #EuroBrass19 #ProudDad pic.twitter.com/72TxkUfnUo
David Warburton (@DavidIWarburton) April 28, 2019
Very proud of all four English youth bands at #EuroBrass19. Well done to all and massive congratulations to European Champions @Wardle_Academy and third placed @YouthBrass2000. Four great performances. @LionsYouthBand @ellandband
Brass Bands England (@BrassBandsEng) April 28, 2019
Sunday 28, 16:11:08
Final thoughts from Mr President...
Sunday 28, 15:49:00
Results:
European Youth Brass Band Championships:
Premier Section:
1st.Place — Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner)
Test Piece: Sanctuary! (Daniel Hall) & Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams
Champions — Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner)
1. Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner) — 99pts
2. BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger) — 98pts
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — 95pts
4. Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricio Cosentino) — 94pts
5. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch) — 93pts
Best Soloist: Manuel Zemp (trombone) — BML Talents
Development Section:
Winning MD — Lee Rigg (Wardle Academy Youth)
Test Piece: Argos (Stephan Hodel) & Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams
1st. Place — Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg)
1. Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg) — 97pts*
2. Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser) — 95pts*
3. Smoras Skolemusikk (Magnus Brandseth) — 93pts
4. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison) — 92pts
Best Soloist: Adam Warburton (trombone) — Wardle Academy Youth
*1 point deduction for going over the 20 minute playing time
Sunday 28, 15:28:46
5. Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner)
The Austrian youngsters give a bold display of impressive musicality — and what a great sound they make too in Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Fire in the Blood', played with evangelical zeal.
There was a real wow factor about the playing of Antonia Kapelari on the 'Finale' from the Haydn 'Cello Concerto No 1'. It was such a stylish rendition — even played at a breakneck pace.
'Sanctuary' is equally impressive — broad, warm sounds and a well paced account that built in rich drama and purpose to the close.
A little bit of fun to end with as 'Nordic Polska' has a catchy brilliance to round off a super programme played with maturity and flair.
Chris Davies
Sunday 28, 14:21:13
English Pride...
Pleased to have supported our three representatives in the 2019 EYBB — Bethany Littlewood, Charlie Saunders and Jack Hoof. #eurobrass19 pic.twitter.com/eYhaPJXAY4
— Brass Bands England (@BrassBandsEng) April 28, 2019
Sunday 28, 14:18:24
4. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
The defending champions were in determined mood not to relinquish their hold on the title — right from the word go in fact.
That was shown with a startling show of intent with the rousing 'Starburst' to open, played with muscular vigour.
It was followed by an evocative rendition of 'Sanctuary' — a mix of Victor Hugo anguish, tenderness and the ultimate triumphant power of unrequited love.
There was a wonderful display of lyrical tenor horn playing from Siobhan Bates. The Young Brass Player of the Year was the focal point of rich tonality in 'Nightlights' by Lucy Pankhurst.
A second helping of a bit of King Kong to close and Paul McGhee's absolute banger 'Son of Kong' which thumpingly brought things to a close.
Chris Davies
Sunday 28, 13:54:08
3. Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricio Cosentino)
Just the two pieces from the talented young Germans — and the serious musical intent was clear from the very start.
The dark power of the lower brass was evident throughout — bringing the drama of Daniel Hall's wonderfully descriptive writing to the fore. It built to a triumphant close.
'Lake of the Moon' is also played with such confidence and commitment. The MD asked a great deal from his players, but they responded so well — the playing having a vivid energy.
That was impressive stuff.
Chris Davies
Sunday 28, 13:20:17
Congratulations to Love Music Trust partner ensemble @LionsYouthBand on their brilliant performance at the #EuroBrass19 Youth Championships- an incredible achievement all round!!! https://t.co/2jbIZO8ECd
Love Music Trust (@lovemusictrust) April 28, 2019
2. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch)
There was a great show of confidence with 'Home of Legends' to open — full of just the right mix of brio, PLC fizz and vibrancy. It was playing that set the tone of what followed.
Abbie Webb performed with a maturity beyond her years on 'An Untold Story' — what a lovely elegant sense of phrasing and warm tonality. That was super playing.
Love the drive and energy in 'Blue Phantom' by Andy Scott — helped by a tremendous perc section and soloists who were banging it brilliantly. That was great playing and so well presented.
They round things off with a powerful rendition of the test piece — dramatic and passionate. The story was brought to life here so vividly all the way to a triumphant close.
Chris Davies
Sunday 28, 12:29:23
Big welcome for @BML_Talents playing first in the Premier Section at the European Youth Brass Band Championships! Nice to have a Swiss band playing at the start! #EuroBrass19
Jonathan Griffiths (@DrJonGriffiths) April 28, 2019
1. BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger)
What a great start from the Swiss who really lived up to their name with their playing.
'Red Morning Star' starts mysteriously, but then goes into full 'Comrade Lenin' swing — played with confidence, Cossack bounce and spirit.
'Sanctuary' is played with drama, passion and precision — as our erstwhile hero saves his love Esmeralda from the flames and carries her on high to his bell tower. What a triumphant close too!
Bravo Manuel Zemp! 'Thoughts of Love' played with a touch panache. 'Fantastico!' as the great Lito Fontana would say.
They round off a super programme with a thrilling 'Nightingale Dances' — one that soared on high and had such great style.
Chris Davies
Sunday 28, 12:28:14
European Youth Brass Band Championships
Premier Section:
Test Piece: Sanctuary! (Daniel Hall) & Own Choice Programme
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: at conclusion of Developmemt Section
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams
1. BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger)
2. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch)
3. Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricia Cosentino)
4. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
5. Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner)
N.B. Different than that published in the programme
Sunday 28, 11:42:56
Intermission
Perfect start to the day watching the amazing European young bands competing in @EBBC2019 youth championships! Now off to our @TheSBBA executive meeting no3 of the year!!! 🎶🎶 #eurobrass19 #sbbaevents2019
Scottish Brass Band Association (@TheSBBA) April 28, 2019
There is now a break in the action until 12:30pm (local time) when the Premier Youth Section starts.
Sunday 28, 11:30:54
4. Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg)
Lee Rigg brings his Wardle Academy Youth Band to the European Championships once again and there is immediately a huge band sound on display in the majestic opening number; Alan Fernie's 'Intrada Festivo'. This is big and bold and played with an admirable celebratory style.
The set test 'Argos' opens well and we immediately get to hear the lovely sounds of the band's principal cornet player. This was so nicely done. The dance rhythms of the second section of the piece are aided by excellent percussion and there such great sounds from the middle of the band leading to an exciting and radiant final flourish.
Trombonist Adam Warburton is the very able soloist in Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Trombone Concerto', playing from memory and displaying both impressive technical facility and range in the demanding cadenza, as well as a fabulous, mature declamatory sound.
The inspired choice of Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' to close is not only appropriate given the venue, but also shows off the band's sound to full effect as Lee Rigg measures the build up to the final radiant statement of the theme to fine effect. This has been another fabulous programme and a great end to the Development Section contest.
Chris Thomas
Sunday 28, 10:58:41
3. Smoras Skolemusikk (Magnus Brandseth)
The Norwegians 'Do Dat Thing' in style with an opening number that has such a great big band feel about it with every section of the band contributing in shades including great work from the cornet section and percussion. This has really got the toes tapping!
There are lovely rounded sounds in the first section of the set piece 'Argos' which is a tribute to the ancient Greek city rather than a UK chain of catalogue style shops!
In the following rumba Magnus Brandseth is so animated and draws exceptionally neat and tidy playing from his team with a brightness about the sound and so much flair about the style.
Flugel horn soloist Sondre Kristoffer Stokker is such a star in Anne Grete Preus' 'Icicles'. This is just beautiful. So delicate, limpid and played with wonderful sensitivity.
The contrast with Simon Dobson's 'A Theory of Everything' that concludes the programme is marked and what a great conclusion it is. A bold choice of piece and the band takes it in their stride with playing of driving dynamism and energy.
Chris Thomas
Sunday 28, 10:31:27
2. Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser)
The fanfare like sounds of the opening number, Rytas, are given good dynamic contrasts in a brief opener that announces the band in style.
The set work 'Argos' follows and we have been amazed at how much warmth and emotion the first two bands have drawn from the opening section of this piece.
The Lithuanians of Aukstyn are giving this so much care and sensitivity and the dance rhythms that follow have a lovely lightness of touch and playfulness about them.
Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'An Untold Story' features horn soloist Irma Glindaite and this is lovely lyrical playing as the soloist displays a beautifully flowing legato style and a rich, full sound.
John Blanken's arrangement of 'Queen's Greatest Hits' that concludes Aukstyn's programme opens with 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in the form of a feature for the horns and the sounds are again so warm.
A succession of songs follows all of which are played with a great sense of rhythm and admirably controlled dynamics.
This has been another fine programme with so much energy and impressive musicianship on display.
Chris Thomas
Sunday 28, 10:00:24
1. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison)
What a great opener from Elland Silver Youth in Dan Price's 'Andromeda'. Full of rhythmic vitality and propelled along by a great percussion team, this really got the programme off to a bright and
breezy start.
Soprano player Adam Hofland-Ward rises to his feet to play Philip Sparke's 'Flowerdale' from memory and does so in sweet tones with sensitive accompaniment from the band.
The set work, Stephan Hodel's 'Argos', is given breadth and admirable warmth as Sam Harrison directs her players with such enthusiasm, the opening section being rich in emotion before the dance rhythms that follow are tight in ensemble and delivered with a spirit that is infectious.
Matthew Hall's 'Nightingale Dances' brings the programme to an end in style as the band displays remarkable panache and maturity to bring the piece to a close in a positive blaze of sound.
Wow!
What a way to start the Youth Championship.
Chris Thomas
Sunday 28, 09:56:41
European Youth Brass Band Championships:
Development Section:
Test Piece: Argos (Stephan Hodel) & Own Choice Programme
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: 9.30am (local time)
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams
1. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison)
2. Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser)
3. Smoras Skolemusikk (Magnus Brandseth)
4. Wardle Academy Youth (Lee Rigg)
Premier Section:
Test Piece: Sanctuary! (Daniel Hall) & Own Choice Programme
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: at conclusion of Developmemt Section
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams
1. BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger)
2. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch)
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
4. Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricia Cosentino)
5. Catch Basin Brass Brass Band (Andreas Lackner)
