Sunday 4, 00:23:27
Goodnight from Stavanger...
It's a very good night from a wonderful Siddis Brass Championships — one that showed once again that the Norwegians are leading the way with inventive programming allied to outstanding levels of performance in all sections.
All this and we got to hear a quite remarkable multi-instrumentalist before the announcement of the results — Gunhild Carling, who to put it bluntly — was absolutely bloody amazing. She could play anything and everything — from the recorder to jazz trombone, the bagpipes to three trumpets at the same time.
All that and she could tap dance, sing like Bett Midler and most probably could skin an arctic seal with her bare hands.
Great winners in the Elite Division in what was a stunning contest and the party is still going strong as we finally lay our weary heads on our pillow...
Saturday 3, 22:44:46
Result:
Elite Division:
Adjudicators: Robert Childs, Michael Garassi, (music & programme content)
Nils Christian (entertainment) — separate prize
Music + Programme Content = Total
1. Manger Musikklag (Martin Winter): 96 + 10 = 106
2. Eikanger Bjorsvik (Reid Gilje): 97 + 8 = 105
3. Stavanger (Allan Withington): 95 + 9 = 104
4. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Paul Holland): 91 + 6 = 97
5. Krohnengen (Garry Cutt): 91 + 5 = 96
6. Oslo Brass Band (John Philip Hannevik): 90 + 5 = 95
7. Tertnes Brass (Frode Rydland): 89 + 5 = 94
8. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Rune Gundersen): 86 + 6 = 92
9. Kleppe Musikklag (Magnus Brandseth): 87 + 4 = 91
10. Bjorsvik Brass (Bengt Florvag): 86 + 4 = 90
Entertainment Prize: Manger Musikklag
Best Soloist: Camilla Søderstrøm Tveit (bass trombone) — Tertnes Brass
Saturday 3, 22:44:07
Result:
First Division:
Adjudicators: Florent Didier, Katrina Marzella
Music + Programme Content = Total
1. Rong Brass (David Morton): 92 + 7 = 99
2. Askoy Brass Band (Svein Henrik Giske): 91 + 7 = 98
3. Oslofjord Brass (Philip Hannevik): 90 + 7 = 97
4. Flesland Musikklag (Eirik Gjerdevik): 87 + 9 = 96
5. Sola Brass (Gwyn Evans): 88 + 7 = 95
6. Radoy Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen): 87 + 6 = 93
7. Oster Brass (Rune Hannisdal): 86.5 + 6 = 92.5
8. Montebello Brass (Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling): 85 + 6 = 91
9. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen): 84 + 6 = 90
Best Soloist: Tonje Marielle Iversen (soprano) — Askoy Brass Band
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So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.
So one less cappuccino then?
Saturday 3, 22:43:33
Result:
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Tom Brevik, Sheona White
Music + Programme Content = Total
1. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 95 + 9 = 104
2. Haukas Musikklag (Thor-Arne Pedersen): 94 + 9 = 103
3. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E Hansen): 93 + 10 = 103
4. Fjell Brass (Joseph Cook): 93 + 9 = 102
5. Skui Brass Band (Thor-Willy Karlsen): 89 + 9 = 98
6. Folleso Musikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt): 87 + 9 = 96
7. Sorum Musikklag (Ray Farr): 88 + 7 = 95
8. Sagvag Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 86 + 8 = 94
9. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Gwyn Evans): 85 + 7 = 92
10. Agder Brass (Thomas Swatland): 84 + 7 = 91
Best Soloist: Nick Hughes (cornet) — Tysnes Musikklag
Saturday 3, 22:42:44
Result:
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Adam Cooke, Arthur Vanderhoeft
Music + Programme Content = Total
1. KOS Krohnengen Old Stars (Oyvind Raknes Nikolaisen): 94 + 7 = 101
2. Stangaland Brass (Melvin White): 93 + 7 = 100
3. Laksevag Musikkforening (Fredrick Schjelderup): 90 + 7 = 97
4. Lindas Brass (Hilde Brevik Grytten): 89 + 6 = 95
5. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne): 86 + 9 = 95
6. Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austnes-Underhaug): 85 + 6 = 91
7. Tysvaer Brass (Paul Hughes): 83 + 8 = 91
8. Seim Musikklag (Asbjorn Hauge): 82 + 5 = 87
9. Hetlevik Musikklag (Egil Magnussen): 81 + 5 = 86
10. Eidsberg Brass Band (Hans Andreas Kjolberg): 80 + 5 = 85
Best Soloist: Kristine Kalstro (Euphonium) — Stangaland Brass
Saturday 3, 22:42:12
Result:
Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Elizabeth Fossan, Kenneth Crookston
Music + Programme Content = Total
1. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding): 90 + 9 = 99
2. Lyshornet Brass (Christian Breistein): 88 + 10 = 98
3. Norheimsund Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk): 88 + 9 = 97
4. Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars-Bjornar Strengenes): 87 + 8 = 95
5. Fjordbrass Lavik (Jason Burn): 86 + 9 = 95
6. Klovheim Brass (Oddvar Nostdal): 86 + 8 = 94
7. Riska Brass Band (Espen Westbye): 85 + 7 = 92
8. Fitjar Musikklag (Svein Roger Koppang): 84 + 8 = 92
9. Sotra Brass (Ben Hirons): 84 + 7 = 91
10. Tasta Brass (Morten Ovrebekk): 83 + 8 = 91
11. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Jakob Birk): 83 + 6 = 89
12. Eikelandsfjorden Musikklag (Joar H. Lemme): 81 + 8 = 89
13. IMI Brass (Linda Saglien Svensen): 81 + 7 = 88
14. Karmsund Brass (Steinar Ansnes): 81 + 5 = 86
15. Langhus Brass (Tomas Austestad): 89 + 6 = 86
16. Egersund Brass (Stale Andreas Stendahl): 80 + 5 = 85
Best Soloist: Ingmar Lid (Eb tuba) — Norheimsund Musikklag
Support us for less than a cup of coffee...
4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.
So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.
So one less cappuccino then?
Saturday 3, 20:26:26
Waiting for the results...
Apologies for the problems we have encountered today — but we are afraid they were out of our control.
The comments were available on the 4BR Facebook page, but we have now transferred them over to the site for you to enjoy.
As for a prediction?
Both contests were so enjoyable and intriguing, but with the Elite Divsion the overall standard was excellent with some brilliantly inspired programme sets.
As for a winner?
You can make a very good case for one of the big three here — with Manger, Eikanger and Stavanger each producing programmes that were diverse, engaging and brilliantly played.
It's up to the judges of course, but for us it's Manger by the narrowest of margins from Eikanger with Stavanger just a pinch behind. If any of them win they will deserve it though. It's been a joy to listen to.
4BR Prediction:
1. Manger Musikklag
2. Eikanger Bjorsvik
3. Stavanger
Saturday 3, 20:21:04
Elite Division:
10. Bjorsvik Brass (Bengt Florvag)
Decade:
Lezghinka (Khachaturian arr. Howard Snell)
Someone to Watch Over Me (George & Ira Gershwin arr. Svein Henrik Giske)
Soloist: Grethe Tonheim (Trombone)
Root Beer Rag (Billy Joel arr. Svein Henrik Giske)
Chiquilin de Bachin (Astor Piazzolla arr. Reid Gilje)
Finale from Symphony No 3: (Khachaturian arr. Ray Farr)
A decade on from their formation (and from when we heard them in the lowest division of the Norwegian National Championships), the alumni enjoy the musical celebrations of their 10th birthday.
Age does not diminish quality, even if hairlines recede and waistlines expand — and that old Khachaturian pot boiler is given a rousing run through — not quite the pacey as yesteryear, but still sprightly enough.
Grethe Tonheim is such a suave lead on the Gershwin classic — tender and touching with her languid, musical liquidity.
It seems the taste of root beer brings out the best in this generation, with a classy, waspish bit of musical libation, before the Piazzolla is suavely delivered with the grace of an old tango dancer having one last trip under the light fantastic. Super stuff.
It's a bit 'all hands to the pumps' to close — but what fun they are having.
It's as scratchy as a jockstrap full of iron filings in places, but what does that matter — the former glories can still be summoned up with some Ralgex spray and couple of sanatogen pills. It all ends splendidly.
Overall:
Lots to enjoy with something of a trip down memory lane — but one still played with plenty of relevance and class. Here's to the next decade and more...
Saturday 3, 20:19:38
Elite Division:
9. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Rune Gundersen)
Brass in Motion:
Overture from Dancer in the Dark (Bj'rk arr. Klas v. d. Woude)
Waves on deck (Dj'nne)
Jeg reiser alene (Ole Paus arr. Andreas Utnem/Espen Westbye)
Soloist: Sigve Kolstad (cornet)
Mueva los Huesos (Gordon Goodwin arr. Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
N'de (Ivar Kleive/Knut Reiersrud arr. Frode Rydland)
Soloist: Nils Henrik Asheim, (organ)
What an inspired opening.
The music of the miniature Icelandic genius Bj'rk transcribes so well for brass here — with a dark delicacy that retains its fragility even when the dynamic rises before ebbing away to an almost exhausted repose.
What follows is equally inventive — subtle shifting detours of musicality that seem to evolve but then reach turning points of new directions. Dramatic and vicious — it caught almost everyone in the audience by surprise.
More simple but effective playing follows with a cornet solo (with quintet accompaniment) that plays a subsidiary role to the dancing of a sad looking, but angelic child in the centre of the stage. Blimey — you can feel the tears welling up in the eyes of audience. Wowee — a highlight of the day that.
Ah Espen Westbye — that's you I hear. What a player. And what another neat surprise piece — played with controlled brio (and super perc), but still as colourful as the bowl of fruit on Carmen Miranda's head.
Dr Phibes returns with the full kit and caboodle for the organ led finisher — blowing your socks off as it inhabits Gothic musical territory as black as the cover of a Bible. Goes a bit high church hymnal in places but then we jump back into bonkers-land to close.
Overall:
What an enjoyable and surprising set that was — so well led by the MD and such a clever set of variable elements. Like opening five different musical Kinder Eggs.
Support us for less than a cup of coffee...
4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.
So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.
So one less cappuccino then?
Saturday 3, 20:18:08
Elite Division:
8. Eikanger Bjorsvik (Reid Gilje)
The Four Elements — Fire, Air, Water and Earth:
Fireball (Fredrick Schjelderup)
Window No 1. (Svein Fjermestad)
Air: Wind (Reid Gilje/Andy Sheppard arr. Reid Gilje)
Water: The Drop (Frode Rydland)
Earthquake (Kjetil Dj'nne)
The crackling sound of conflagration ignites the dry matter (the best use of crepe paper since Blue Peter on television in 1974) as the temperature quickly reaches scorching point.
This is playing on the senses here — the extended percussion segue leaving intriguing questions in the air. What appears on the horizon is a flugel, sop, euph and cornet interlude of tender brilliance that evolves slowly into something completely different. It's a window into a new dimension.
It arrives like a warm sirocco wind blown into the hall, rumbling first, then gathering focus like a slow funk dance with colours and textures brought from distant lands. It's is sumptuously exotic playing. That simply bubbled with class.
Another elemental change — and dark and minor inflections underpin the music — a menacing flow of water moving inexorably forward, unstoppable and unforgiving.
Those same forces now emerge from the earth — deep in the mantle (otherwise known as the leviathan tubas), and then drawing upward in intensity and shock. The ensemble playing here is of the highest quality — multi-layered and textured — topped by a piercing sop. High on Richter scale that — very high indeed.
Overall:
A concept programme brilliantly played, but which did demand you paid intense attention to what it was trying to achieve. If you did it rewarded you superbly.
