Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Saturday 12th September
Test Piece: Titan's Progress – Hermann Pallhuber
Start: 10:00hrs
Draw: 09:00hrs

Adjudicators:
David Read, Michael Ball, William Relton

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What do we think?

A fine days music making has seen some wonderful performances from the best bands.

Two stand out though with Dyke having the edge over Cory on this occasion. Both were quite stunning performances though.

Leyland and Brighouse should battle it out for the final podium place with a choice between Rothwell, Fairey, Grimethorpe, Fodens and Whitburn for the rest. It could go any way between these.

Dyke for us though, Cory close behind, Leyland, Brighouse, Rothwell and Fairey.

1. Black Dyke
2. Cory
3. Leyland
4. Brighouse & Rastrick
5. Rothwell
6. Fairey

Dark horses: Whitburn or Grimethorpe.

Live comments:

Whitburn, Steven Mead, 18
Time: 1710hrs

Opening-G
Fine opening has sense of drama to go with sonority. Presto is played with real brio but small blips detract in lyrical sections. This is interesting and persuasive in approach however.

Farandole
A sensible Rab C Nesbitt wit – you just about understand the humour. There is a quality stamp on display here as it holds the attention in style and precision.

Fugue-end
A touch messy to start but it then captures the right gear. Lovely interlude before cracking finale.

Overall
A fine performance to round off performance. Enhanced by a fine reading and confident execution.

Hammonds Saltaire, Morgan Griffiths, 17
Time: 1650hrs

Opening-G
Another timp entry on the late side? Bold stuff follows – it’s edge of the seat at times – even in the lyrical sections. The frailties are noticeable and it struggles too often despite some brave solo efforts.

Farandole
A neutral wit that raises the right smile but it’s a bit like Alan Davies on QI. Not to everyone’s taste we suspect. There’s some nice stuff going on but it seems the band is playing to its limits.

Fugue-end
Decent stuff. Nothing to write home about but solid, unpretentious stuff delivered with commitment to the cause right to the end.

Overall
Perhaps the last we’ll see of Hammonds at the Open for a while. A brave effort though.

Black Dyke, Dr. Nicholas Childs, 16
Time: 1625hrs

Opening-G
Massive sounds are full of sonority and warmth. Sweet baby Moses! This is quite brilliantly executed with such style and precision. Lyrical episodes have an extra touch of class to go with tour de force technical wizardry.

Farandole
Such a polished sense of wit. Not even Stephen Fry can better this. So much detail to go with the style. This really is something else!

Fugue-end
Here goes. Turbo overdrive but with razor sharp clarity. The style is stunning and the end takes the roof off. Crowd go bonkers and Dyke deserve it.

Overall
The winner for us. Nothing more to add.

Virtuosi GUS, John Berryman, 15
Time: 1600hrs

Opening-G
Bold opening leads to dignified solid episodes of technical and lyrical playing. There is some really tasteful playing on show here despite the odd nasty moment or 2 throughout.

Farandole
Again, inoffensive wit – but it’s so bland and one-dimensional – think of Les Dennis. Tasteful solo elements but the ensemble lacks a sheen of finesse. Just a little bit of risk taking would’ve paid dividends we think.

Fugue-end
Errors start to hurt now. Hangs in there – just, at times. The fizz has gone despite a robust ending.

Overall
One that never really came to life for us. Had the elements but didn’t quite add up to a compelling whole.

Hepworth (Cookson Homes), Ian Porthouse, 14
Time: 1540hrs

Opening-G
A question mark over the timp to start but the ensemble plays with drive, purpose and clarity. Stylish this but it’s a little wobbly in places in the lyrical episodes. Recovers in pulsating manner though.

Farandole
Little blips detract, but there is a grown up wit of darkness on show – League of Gentlemen stuff. The local band for local people is playing well though – right through to the composed ending.

Fugue-end
There is quality on show and played with a touch of panache to go with the drive. Has reserves in hand for a bold close too.

Overall
An appealing and stylish performance but blighted by too many little clips and unforced mistakes. How will that cost them?

Leyland, Jason Katsikaris, 13
Time: 1515hrs

Opening-G
Purposeful opening is bang on the money. Stylish, detailed and balanced too. More quality follows – odd little moments detract but the musical picture has integrity and contrast.

Farandole
Nice quirky wit – Ross Noble like – touching on the surreal. Lyrical contrasts appeal – shaped with a delicate musical hand by the MD. Yep! Even old grumpy Mahler would smile at this.

Fugue-end
Just little clips but played with a Bournevillian style. Holds the attention right to the bravura ending.

Overall
A high quality classy performance that had musical character and execution. Up there in the mix for us.

Co-operative Funeralcare, Michael Fowles, 12
Time: 1450

Opening-G
Strong opening is bold and colourful. Presto never quite feels alive, but lyrical interludes have stylish warmth. Loses focus though and nasty moments do detract.

Farandole
Heavy handed wit this – not Billy Connolly for sure. At times it sounds like a brick thrown in your face with the joke wrapped around it. Missed the style required by a margin despite safe execution.

Fugue-end
Decent enough – but it’s clumsy in style. It all goes in the right place but needs finesse – even with an exciting finish.

Overall
A mixed old Mahler bag this – the lack of subtle wit was just about offset by the execution.

Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts, 11
Time: 1425hrs

Opening-G
It’s a bold one to start but played with dark sonority and style. Persuasive this – even with the odd nasty moment or 3. Nice lyrical interludes too.

Farandole
The wit is family orientated – a pair of Austrian Chuckle Brothers and nothing offensive. It does get a little fruity in places but it is solid, unpretentious fare.

Fugue-end
Finds its feet after stepping in something smelly to start. Now it comes up smelling of roses and builds with drama, precision and style to a real old rousing finish.

Overall
A good one this. Full of quality elements moulded with common sense style by MD. Could surprise a few.

Brisbane Excelsior, Howard Taylor, 10
Time: 1400

Opening-G
Slightly hesitant to open but it recovers with warmth. It’s a touch non-descript and bland but the safety approach works well enough. Lyrical episodes are well shaped and this is standing up well.

Farandole
Sensible approach to wit – means no Dame Edna risqué stuff. But it means that it does lack stylish humour. More good lyrical interludes though add points.

Fugue-end
Scrappy playing robs the style – it needs more dramatic impulse. Starts to tire in finale but holds its form to a good close.

Overall
Decent enough show that never quite had that Titanic feel. A bit Mahler Lite when we really needed the full fat version.

Halfway point

Out top 3 so far:

1. Cory
2. Brighouse
3. Grimethorpe

Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Russell Gray, 9
Time: 1320hrs

Opening-G
Poor opening recovers its poise but it was very nearly a Titanic start. MD wears his musical heart, lungs and stomach contents on sleeve in lyrical section – it borders on the saccharine coated… The errors are noticeable too. Struggles too often.

Farandole
It’s pantomime wit. Subtle it ain’t. Les Dawson stuff. Mahler in touch with his feminine side perhaps. Has it’s moments – but only moments.

Fugue-end
Messy – are not the Lionel of Barcelona variety either… Seems like hard work and never really produces drama despite big end.

Overall
A very individual Mahler interpretation. We doubt if he was as emotional as this, but he could be crying at the end result too.

Brighouse & Rastrick, David King, 8
Time: 1300hrs

Opening-G
Finely structured opening has an understated dignity and sonority. Lots of detail and balance in Presto and lyrical episodes have the required tenderness too. A few blips but it’s the style that shines.

Farandole
A cultured Ozzie wit – no Sir Les Patterson this! A sophisticated sense of humour despite perc playing a saucepan. Again it’s the style that appeals. It doesn’t sound contrived. The best by far this.

Fugue-end
Action packed and electrifying. A touch edgy and scrappy at times but it has the wow factor right to the huge ending.

Overall
What an impressive show. A cultured reading by the MD. Mahler alright but without pretentious bombast.

Fairey Band, Philip Chalk, 7
Time: 1135hrs

Opening-G
It’s big, bold and a touch brazen. No denying the sense of purpose. Lacks a touch of finesse and accuracy but it’s enjoyable stuff – especially in the lyrical episodes.

Farandole
A workmanlike sense of wit – heavy handed at times though. The jokes are of the Christmas Cracker variety. It’s all in the right place and confidently played but it is a little one-dimensional.

Fugue-end
Messy to start but recovers with drive and balance. Not really Mahleresque but the finale has the power required. Holds its form when tiredness creeps in to close.

Overall
Done it’s job this we think — and pretty well too. Not a memorable performance but one of contesting merit which should see Fairey’s safe for another day.

Cory Band, Dr. Robert Childs, 6
Time: 1110hrs

Opening-G
Full of dignity, style and purpose. This leads to a technical showcase of clarity and effect. Even the lyrical sections are razor sharp.

Farandole
A polished wit and stream of one-liners – Mahler meets Jimmy Tarbuck. Not everything gets a laugh – but what we hear has such a sheen of rehearsed purpose. Nothing is left to chance and it shows in the playing.

Fugue-end
Now comes the Cory juggernaut – a technical tour-de-force. So much clarity and balance. Tremendous confidence unleashed the knock-out finale.

Overall
A edifice of contest winning brilliance. This was cold-eyed, single minded lesson in Mahler inspired class. Hard to find fault.

Foden’s, Garry Cutt, 5
Time: 1145hrs

Opening-G
Sonorous and dignified to open. Little blemishes just marr the Mahler so to speak. There are subtle changes in dynamic and colour and this one has character – even in the very long silent pauses.

Farandole
More clever wit – sophisticated black humour – Jack Dee stuff. Enjoyably subversive before really blossoming. Not everything comes off but it’s classy stuff.

Fugue-end
Just the odd smear – but the style is so marked and transparent. Overdrive has the wow factor to a glorious close.

Overall
A Titan like defence of their title – Had all the elements and style but the odd clips may just cost them the chance of another victory.

BTM, Tom Davoren, 4
Time: 1125hrs

Opening-G
Decent start but it is a bit one-dimensional. Lyrical sections hang like a condemned man on the gallows – lifeless. Lazarus like it comes to life but the clips soon kill it off again.

Farandole
Great perc – but the style lacks subtle wit and nuance – like Jimmy Carr telling Gypsey jokes. Struggles too often to appeal and the solo dynamics have gone AWOL. Too many problems.

Fugue-end
Has its moments but these are not enough today. Tired and scrappy and no heroic finale – the white flag was waved.

Overall
One that missed the Mahler by a margin. A Titan that had little progress despite the bravery of the players. Could struggle today.

Grimethorpe Colliery, Allan Withington, 3
Time: 1100hrs

Opening-G
Superb opening – has so much clarity and purpose. Not always spot on in lyricism but this makes so much musical sense. It’s Mahler folks!

Farandole
A dark and subtle wit – Stephen Fry like – clever bugger! So stylish in intent despite the odd moments of unintentional slapstick. Shaped with real intelligence from the middle.

Fugue-end
Odd little moments – but so balanced and transparent. Great detail – all the way to the steroid induced finale. Corker!

Overall
Top quality this – MD gives us the Mahler chronicles with fun and games too. Impressive and very classy.

Kirkintilloch, Selmer Simonsen, 2
Time: 1035hrs

Opening-G
Boldly coloured this, but not precise. It’s the quiet stuff that is so uneven. Lyrically inspired but uncomfortable on the ear. Edgy.

Farandole
Where’s the wit? Just notes – well played at times but with little meaning. As subtle as Benny Hill and just as unfunny. The effects are so telegraphed. Very mediocre stuff.

Fugue-end
Has drive and purpose but not Mahler drama. This is just note bashing – with the emphasis on bashing. Great sop but it drowns the band. Lacks subtlety even to the big end.

Overall
Like being hit in the face with a wet haddock. Not much fun and leaving a bad taste in the mouth. A disappointing show.

Desford Colliery, James Gourlay, 1
Time: 1010hrs

Opening-G
Dignified opening leads to purposeful presto. Just a little untidy though. Lovely lyrical playing follows but not always precise to end.

Farandole
Great sense of dislocated wit. Even if the delivery is not always 100 per cent. Whoopee sop! Mahler meets Benny Hill this — odd but effective.

Fugue-end
Stylish if scrappy but played with real breadth. Clips will cost but it does hold interest. Sop on the high-wire! Fair ending to an intriguing performance.

Overall
A stylish opener. The MD knows his Mahler coupled with The League of Gentleman! A maybe one.