Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest

Saturday 15th May
Test Piece: 'Rococo Variations' — Professor Edward Gregson
Draw: 9.00am
Commence: 10.00am
The Opera House

Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts and William Relton
Live comments by Chris Thomas

What do we think?:

This has been one heck of a demanding test for the bands today and not one came through with a performance without unforced errors.

There were some fine efforts though, some hard working ones and some pretty average efforts too. All these bands will know just what is required of them if they make it to Symphony Hall though.

As for the winners and qualifiers?

Flowers for us with Tredegar just behind. Reg Vardy and Redbridge fill the top four places with Tongwynlais and Wingates making up the top six.

The qualification for the Open could be between any of the top five though, and no one should really complian if they just miss out — the differences betwen them was very small in performances of real merit.

4BR Prediction:
1. Flowers
2. Tredegar
3. Reg Vardy
4. Redbridge
5. Tongwynlais
6. Wingates

19. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
Theme & Toccata: Tuning issues from the opening notes detracts from the need to create atmosphere, and the toccata gets off to a shakey start. It takes time really settle this.

Siciliana & Waltz: A fine atmosphere created here in the siciliana and the tempo is well measured, but the waltz seems to quick for comfort and lacks style as a result.

Perpetuo & Lament: Spirit in abundance and a real sense of darkness too. The execution though lets the approach down — a real pity this. Lament has the austerity feel, but too many little problems takes the varnish off a polished sense of style.

Scherzo: The band do their best here — but sound very tired. Things are in the right place, but the stamina has waned and the close is overblown and harsh.

Overall: This tested the band to the limit, but the MD coralled his troops well even if they couldn't quite deliver the goods as they would have wished.

18. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
Theme & Toccata: An unsettled opening takes time to settle and the toccata seems to falter as a result. Nervy this.

Siciliana & Waltz: This is so much better now and the waltz has just the right feel for the style, even if there is not a great deal of inner detail coming through to the ear. Siciliana was well played too, so things are getting better?

Perpetuo & Lament: Loses focus at times in the moto perpetuo and a lumpy opening to the lament fails to set the required scene of austere pathos. Spoke too soon?

Scherzo: This is better again — real excitement mixed in with the blips and blobs of inconsistent execution. Bold ending seems a little too late to recover a bit of a lost cause.

Overall: Struggled this at too many times. Far too uneven to make a mark today we feel.

17. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea)
Theme & Toccata: A good shape to the theme and quality sounds in the toccata are evident, even though its not always quite comfortable and the tempo tends to be cautious.

Siciliana & Waltz: A good atmosphere is created in the siciliana, but it just needs that extra sense of flow. The waltz is spot on though — stylish playing if not always precise.

Perpetuo & Lament: A bit hit and miss this in the perpetuo — some great stuff and some pretty sloppy playing, but the lament is played with a true sense of austere pathos, even if tuning grates at times.

Scherzo: Inner parts are not always as clear as they should be, but there is a drive and pulse to this that captures the mood and character of the music. Just loses a touch of steam to close though.

Overall: Had its moments this — but just needed a touch more gas in the tanks and a little more free flowing musicality. A tad cautious.

16. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham)
Theme & Toccata: A flowing theme is a touch quicker than most today and the pace is followed through in the toccata which is also played with vibrant pulse. It has drive and dynamic contrast this.

Siciliana & Waltz: A nice bit of playing this with classy top girl on solo cornet. The waltz is particularly extrovert in character — perhaps in need of a bit of darker introspection, but it good stuff.

Perpetuo & Lament: The music is taken by the scruff of the neck here and the emotion is wrung out — every last drop. A bit overwrought in places, but certainly effective. The lament is far too loud and harsh though — almost nasty.

Scherzo: It's hell for leather playing — and the rev counter is set in the red for certain. Scrappy but oh so exciting, it leads to a high octane finish.

Overall: It promised much, but soon lost control as the adrenaline took over. A pity — the loss of self control will cost dearly we think. It could have been so different.

15. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise)
Theme & Toccata: A weighty opening is safe but it stil has that feel of dark atmosphere. There is a bite and spirit to the toccata too — sharp and classy.

Siciliana & Waltz: The lack of dynamic contrast in the siciliana robs it of its lyrical beauty — its leaden. The waltz too seems unusually heavy handed — a little too dark perhaps?

Perpetuo & Lament: It's a pacy approach here — certainly exciting. The precision suffers at times, but you sense that real pathos. Heart on sleeve playing this — and its effective.

Scherzo: Some great moments here — espeically with the McCabe chords and the joyous abandonment of the finale. It is playing to uplift you this — so well portrayed and truely triumphant to close.

Overall: A strong, purposeful performance this — deeply coloured and hewn in emotion. Very persuavive in a strange way.

14. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
Theme & Toccata: The opening is well shaped and phrased although the toccata is a touch over cautious in approach to follow. Safe, but needed a touch more bite.

Siciliana & Waltz: Poise and style permeates the siciliana and there is a dreamy atmosphere to the playing. Rare today this. Waltz is a touch light but finely structured.

Perpetuo & Lament: There is a real sense of drive and pulse to the perpetuo which is just on the money. The lament though is a disappointment to follow — lacking time, space and that austere feel of pathos.

Scherzo: Sounds tired now and it become scrappy and harsh in places. A pity this as up until now it was a contender for us. Tuning issues rob the majesty of the last few bars.

Overall: A brave attempt this — one that until the halfway point and more was right up there with the best today. Stamina issues just took the gloss off.

13. Mount Charles (Phillip McCann)
Theme & Toccata: This unflods well, but not without the odd moment of unease and a few nasty clips. A fine toccata though is one of the best today — bang on the button in style and execution.

Siciliana & Waltz: There is real atmosphere in the siciliana but it doesn't quite dance along. The waltz sounds a touch too well mannered — its needs a darker edge.

Perpetuo & Lament: Sets off at quite a pace this and the detail suffers. Is it really necessary for the flugel to stand in the lament? It adds nothing but is well enough played.

Scherzo: The best playing so far by the band — a real touch of classy sherzo fugue playing that hasn't been much bettered today. A fine close to too is really majestic.

Overall: One that didn't quite live up to some pretty high expectattions this. At times it was right on the money, but on other occassions it was a touch too sloppy.

12. Kingdom Brass (Andrew Duncan)
Theme & Toccata: A tentative opening to start but it gathers some momentum in the toccata, although it lacks that incisive edge.

Siciliana & Waltz: The waltz almost comes off the rails as the cornets take a lead that is in a different world. Siciliana was better but this was one heck of a nasty moment or two.

Perpetuo & Lament: Too scrappy in too many places this — the desire is there but not the execution. It's error strewn and doesn't capture the feeling of loss or pathos.

Scherzo: The band injects spirit and verve into this — its good playing now, but it soon loses focs and becomes tired. Bold end is too little too late.

Overall: An uneven one to say the least. The band found this very difficult.

11. Flowers (Garry Cutt)
Theme & Toccata: A classy opening this — real baroque gravitas. Stylish playing too in toccata despite the minor little blips and blobs in the ensemble.

Siciliana & Waltz: A gentle listing siciliana is a fine precurser to a waltz of refined beauty, helped by an almost perfect tempi and sense of style.

Perpetuo & Lament: Perpetuo flies at times and loses focus, but you can't help by being engrossed in this. Transition to lament is superb — and what follows is just as good.

Scherzo: Impressive stuff this — very impressive stuff. There is plenty in the tank too for the bold, bravura, crowd pleasing ending too.

Overall: Classy playing from start to finish. Right in the mix this without a doubt.

10. Wingates (Alan Morrison)
Theme & Toccata: A solid start and decent toccata holds promise, even if it just needs a touch more bite in places.

Siciliana & Waltz: Great atmosphere created here — everything judged with a classy hint of musicality. Waltz is pin point in pace and style too. Some details are scrappy, but this was played with such panache.

Perpetuo & Lament: The lament has real austerity and pathos and the perpetuo was played with a solid sense of confidence too. Little blips and cracks, but they don't really detract.

Scherzo: Quality playing again, but there is not much left in the tank to close. The last moments sounded very tired and harsh — a real pity.

Overall: Lots of quality and style too on show here — but the harsh ending may just cost them a few too many points today.

9. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
Theme & Toccata: Baroque at its best here — a great start of grace and dark pathos. Just the hint of hesitation in the opening of the toccata but then its impressive ensemble playing.

Siciliana & Waltz: The gentle lilt of the siciliana is well captured and there is some classy lead lines on show. The stylish waltz is played with a lovely ballroom flow, but we hear little mistakes.

Perpetuo & Lament: Urgency and precision. This is fine playing despite the odd noticeable blip and clip. Lament is perhaps a little heavy handed too in pathos but the sense of emotion is palpable.

Scherzo: The most detached fugue of the day so far — and it culminates in a blaze of majestic triumph.

Overall: A performance of real stature this which leads the contest by a margin for us. Not without noticeable mistakes, but oh so classy.

8. Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews)
Theme & Toccata: A warm opening is nicely played, but the opening to the toccata is sloppy. It recovers in style and purpose but it just lacks that sense of urgency.

Siciliana & Waltz: Warmth again and stylish siciliana, but the lead lines are insecure at times and the waltz doesn't really feel comfortable and is leaden.

Perpetuo & Lament: This is more like it — fine stuff and the following lament is carefully conceived. Tuning just loses focus and some shakey entries robs the picture once again. A pity.

Scherzo: A bit hit and miss now as it loses stamina, but it recovers a sense of poise for a grand conclusion.

Overall: A thoughtful approach from the middle really helped this, but the execution just didn't quite come off as hoped.

7. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
Theme & Toccata: A well played opening has a stately feel, although the toccata has uneasy moments. Details and style on display — just those little errors marr things.

Siciliana & Waltz: Lovely take on the siciliana is in contrast to a waltz that is uneven and strangley styled. A nervy couple of entries don't help, but this has just lost its impressive focus.

Perpetuo & Lament: Fine playing to start, but the lament lacks pathos due to the fragilities. The style is there, but the execution robs the neatly realised picture.

Scherzo: Uneven playing now — its sounds tired despite the bravura efforts from around the stand. Gets a touch fruity in the closing sections and loses that sense of majesty to close.

Overall: A mixed old bag this — at times as good as anything so far today, but them it lost its way and became far too inconsistent in execution.

6. B T M (Tom Davoren)
Theme & Toccata: A stately feel to the opening theme is followed by some brazen playing. It's a bit raw this in places, but it is certainly exciting.

Siciliana & Waltz: Lovely feel to siciliana although heavy dynamics make it sound a tad bold. Waltz is a little agressive in intent, despite being well delivered.

Perpetuo & Lament: More bold playing — big sounds and emotion pouring out from all around the stands. Liek the feel of angst though in lament — a fine contrast. Not subtle, but certainly engrossing.

Scherzo: No prisoners here — and it gets scrappy. The excitement was evident and so was the bold finish. Muscular stuff.

Overall: A rollicking Rococo this one. Not much in terms of subtle variance but strong in the excitement stakes for sure.

5. Reg Vardy (Dr Nicholas Childs)
Theme & Toccata: Not entirely comfortable to open but the style is so neatly portrayed and the toccata fizzes with detail and vibrancy.

Siciliana & Waltz: Gentle character of siciliana is so nicley done and the dyanmics are so well contrasted. Little odd moments of unease just take the gloss off, but the style is so persuasive. Waltz is spot on in style and execution.

Perpetuo & Lament: Jubilance and menace on show here and it is created with so much time and space. Not without the odd little moment though.

Scherzo: We hear the lead lines with clarity and there is a control to diabolical playing allied to fine ensemble sounds. Bold and majestic lose too.

Overall: The performance of the contest so far, but one that didn't close the door with its moments of noticeable unease in places.

4. Thoresby Colliery (Melvin White)
Theme & Toccata: A shakey opening and the tuning takes time to find the radar. Lacks a touch of precision in the tocatta and is all a little disjointed.

Siciliana & Waltz: A lovely feel to the flowing siciliana but the tuning is substandard in places. Pacy waltz would take a bit of quick stepping to, and it just robs the music of the tasteful style required.

Perpetuo & Lament: The McCabe inspired music is lovely — so well shaped, but the lament becomes a bit cold and unemotional. A pity that.

Scherzo: Tired sounding and scrappy this. Never quites hits the right gears despite the bold ending.

Overall: An uneven one this. At times it was spot on, but too often it was off the pace. Could struggle today.

3. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper)
Theme & Toccata: Real poise and character to opening and neatly executed toccata has a stamp of authority too.

Siciliana & Waltz: Lovely sense of atmosphere in flowing siciliano — almost dreamy. Waltz would have Bruce Forsyth purring. Great stuff.

Perpetuo & Lament: Bite and drive here with jusy occassional moments of unease and lack of focus. Lament is powerful and a touch heart on sleeve, but so what?

Scherzo: On the rev limiter in places but it is certainly exciting and played with a sense of confidence too. What a corking ending.

Overall: A true performance of quality this that had style and character. Impressive is the right word.

2. Sovereign Brass (Stephen Cooper)
Theme & Toccata: Nicely shaped opening but there is a lack of detail despite the well managed dynamics.

Siciliana & Waltz: Tentative in places (egde of seat stuff) but it settles. Shakey stuff to close and waltz flows with a classy feel for the style.

Perpetuo & Lament: Stylish stuff, but the lack of detail is apparent. Nice austere feel to the lament which is real Heatonesque, but it does have lapses.

Scherzo: Again the devil is not in the detail and pace kills off hope of clarity. Doesn't feel secure despite big finish.

Overall: Had its moments this — both good and bad. Stylish picture but the lack of real detail will surely cost.

1. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
Theme & Toccata: Opens with atmosphere although it doesn't quite sit comfortably at times with the style. Lovely ensemble sounds though.

Siciliana & Waltz: More tasteful atmosphere but there is that question of style again and a few insecurities. Brisk old waltz would take some dancing to.

Perpetuo & Lament: Exciting stuff and real detail on show, but powerful lament lacks a touch of emotion for us.

Scherzo: Frenetic pace this — real diabolical stuff, but it does get scrappy to end.

Overall: A good one to start the day, with quality throughout. Just the odd question on style and pace perhaps.

Draw:

Burry Port Town (Craig Roberts), Withdrawn