Euro Blog
Thursday 29th April:
Linz was a wonderful place to be on Thursday: The sun beat down all day, as locals took the opportunity to sunbathe on the banks of the Danube as it flowed lazily past the Brucknerhaus Hall.
Youthful accents
Inside the accent was on youth – and very talented youth at that.
As the EBBA Delegates sweated their cobs off in their general meeting deciding on the future venues for the contest, the young players of both the European Youth Band and the Austrian Youth Band started their rehearsals for their contributions to the festival.
Finalists
Meanwhile, the three finalists for the evenings Solo Final were also starting to put the final touches to their concerto pieces for later in the night.
Off to Perth
After more commitment to PR than can be found in a Liberal Democrat manifesto, the EBBA’s bureaucrats confirmed that Montreux in 2011 will be followed by a rota of Rotterdam in 2012, Oslo for 2013, and Perth 2014.
Much to relief of any English band who was ready to opt out of the 2013 English National on grounds of cost, that 2014 contest will be Perth in Scotland, not Western Australia.
Apple strudel
As the hall heated up like an Austrian apple strudel (the huge glass frontage bakes turns the main concourse facing the river into a sauna), we took the opportunity to listen to some bands.
Brass Band Oberosterreich puts some final touches to both their own choice and set work preparations in the morning, whilst practising for their role in the Gala Concert. They sounded on cracking form, whilst Professor Hans Gansch rattled off a bit of piccolo trumpet work that left you picking up your jaw from the floor of the hall.
White daps man
Unfortunately though – it seems that the band’s conductor has modelled himself on Peter Bates of the North West Regional Committee in terms of sartorial elegance: He’s a suit and white daps man too.
Meanwhile, 4BR took the chance to meet up with members of the European Youth Band – and the Celtic sub division of it from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Drinking age
A great bunch of youngsters told 4BR that they were loving every minute of being here; from the chance to meet new friends, to the opportunity not to have to bluff about their age to get an alcoholic drink at the bar of the hotel – the legal age for a pint of the local Edelweiss brew is 16.
Mr Brass
As the hot day finally cooled off the crowds started to arrive at the Brucknerhaus to enjoy the opening event of the festival – and although the hall wasn’t a sell out, it was still two thirds full as Hannes Buchegger – introduced as ‘Austria’s Mr Brass’, by Frank Renton, bounced on stage to lead Brass Band Frosch Hall in a few introductory items – minus the Peter Bates trainers, thank the Lord.
the prize money will have offset any disappointment of heading home with a cup that looked like it was meant to be presented to Linz pub darts team4BR
Proud Scot
Then came the three finalists – one after each other, with riveting performances that did themselves and their countries proud.
Talking of which.
By all accounts it was rumoured that Miss Marzella had been introduced as being a representative of perfidious Albion – England to you and me, in the opening qualification rounds. A proud Scot to the tip of her fingernails – Frankie Renton (a proud Englishman – no, make that a Yorkshireman) made sure no one in Linz was left mistaken that she was anything other than a fully signed up ambassador for the haggis eaters.
After a highly enjoyable concert, it was the Belgian euphonium star Glen Van Looy who emerged triumphant (winning the vote from the judges, band and audience) – although both Katrina and Harman Vanhoorne could be exceptionally proud of themselves too.
Darts trophies
The only disappointment was the trophies they were presented with for their efforts. They were rubbish – although to be fair, the prize money – young Mr Looy picked up a cool 4,000 Euros for his wonderful efforts (1,500 more in real cash than the eventual European winners) — will have offset any disappointment of heading home with a cup that looked like it was meant to be presented to Linz pub darts team.
After a quick pint of the local brew, there was just enough time to witness Liverpool being dumped out of the B Section of the Champions League, before we headed back to our hotel for the night.
It was a long day over – but now the real fun begins.
Video blog
For the 4BR Video blog of the day, go to: Go to:
http://vimeo.com/11340858
