Live: 2011 European Championship (Set Work)
The European Championships are taking place at the Stravinski Hall, Montreux.
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European Championships — Championship Section: Set Work
Test piece: 'Audivi Media Nocte', Oliver Waespi
Adjudicators: Frode Amundson, Eric Crees and Thomas Doss
Draw: 1300hrs
Commenced: c1706hrs (BST+1)
End of the day opinion:
What a great day of music making, but there are differing opinions flying around about who has come out on top today.
We have opted for Cory ahead of Tredegar with Treize Etoile in third. Manger in fourth for us (although many people raved about them today) with Schoonhoven in fifth and Fairey in sixth.
It could be still up for grabs though.
4BR Prediction:
1. Cory
2. Tredegar
3. Treize Etoiles
4. Manger
5. Schoonhoven
6. Fairey (Geneva)
Schoonhoven [Netherlands], Erik Jannsen, (10)
21:03hrs
An opening of drive and energy is agitated if a little messy in places. One of the better ones today though.
Calmo flows elegantly, led by super horn and warm, reflective ensemble. Odd blip but it doesn't detract.
1st trio — Neatly funky 108 feel, knits so well with three classy solo lines. Lovely interlude is tastefully phrased.
2nd trio — High class jazz pace means it gets frantic and messy.
High pulsating pace to close whizzes through an Arabic night to huge climax.
Overall: Didn't quite live up to its initial very classy promise. Very nearly a real corker but still in the mix.
Windcorp [Sweden], Garry Cutt, (9)
21:03hrs
Bold, percussive led opening is full of energy and agitation, but is not altogether clear and precise.
A simple reflective feel to the calmo has a dark elegance.
1st trio — Controlled funky feel from tuba, trom and underpinning bongos. Just needed to loosen up. Lovely interlude is tastefully phrased.
2nd trio — Pacy jazz doesn't always knit, but is stylishly played. Side drum?
Finale ride home just needs more red blooded Arabic passion, but it ends boldly.
Overall: A very solid well constructed account that perhaps just lacked a touch of emotion but was delivered with musical intelligence.
Kingdom Brass [Scotland], Andrew Duncan, (8)
20:32hrs
Opening played with energy and drive, but just lacks clarity and real detail.
Lovely simple calmo is led by super horn with ensemble adding a rich lyrical warmth too.
1st trio — Pacy funky trio is played with a real brio, although it gets very uneven in places and in ensemble. Interlude just loses focus at times.
2nd trio — More brio and verve — great cornet — but it is messy in exection at times.
Tired trip through the Arabic night but there is something in the tank for a final climax.
Overall: A bold effort this, that just had a few too many problems throughout to make a lasting impression today.
Manger Musikklag [Norway], Peter Szilvay, (7)
20:05hrs
A real eye popper opening takes everyone by surprise — and so full of agitated energy.
Sombre calmo is darkly sinister in its simplicity — certainly different.
1st trio — Funky trio is so stylish but doesn't all quite knit between all three solists. There is a super, sinister interlude.
2nd trio — High paced jazzy trio is stylish but not always even.
Thumping, pulsating Arabian night ride ends with a huge, thrilling climax.
Overall: A very musical, if individual, interpretation high on style and very nearly the same on content. Not quite though.
Lyngby-Taarbaek [Denmark], Semer Simonsen, (6)
19:38hrs
Opening has a deliberate energy and pulse and is just about 100%.
Calmo lacks security and reflection despite plaintive style.
1st trio — uneven execution robs real feel of funk. Never quite at ease. Ensemble interlude is too uneven in execution.
2nd trio — Again — not always at ease and it is very messy.
Pacy closing finale moves through the Arabic night but its a tired band that reaches the final climax.
Overall: A high error count punished a well constructed reading. In this company these unforced errors will surely cost dearly.
Half way opinion
There is a break now, but it has been highly enjoyable stuff so far on a great test piece.
Cory's powerhouse performance just has the edge from Tredegar with Treize Etoile in third ahead of Fairey (Geneva) and Noord-Limburgse.
Plenty of more to come though so its not a Welsh 1/2 quite yet.
4BR prediction:
1. Cory
2. Tredegar
3. Treize Etoile
4. Fairey (Geneva)
5. Noord Limburgse
Interval for 10 minutes
Tredegar [Wales], Ian Porthouse, (5)
18:58hrs
Power packed opening of energy, drive and agitation is very impressive.
Reflective calmo has merest blip or two but has plaintive simplicity and hint of darkness.
1st trio — Just the odd clip but its played with such funky purpose led by brilliant trom. Great interlude — so puposeful then reflective.
2nd trio — High paced jazz has so much detail from balanced trio.
Turbo charged stuff with the detail really shown, builds to Arabian climax of huge stature.
Overall: Really pulled one out of the hat here. Just the little blips, but so persuasive.
Noord-Limburgse [Belgium], Ivan Meylemans, (4)
18:30hrs
A powerful, deliberately paced energy flows through the opening, which has the odd moment of unease.
Reflective calmo led by plaintive horn, but ensemble tuning isn't 100% at times.
1st trio — Oddly set out trio deliver pacy but uneven bit of funk led by sparkling trombone.
2nd trio — Pacy but uneven in execution. Not quite there.
Energetic drive through Arabic night to get home with a bold climax.
Overall: A decent one but against this field it may not make the mark with the uneven execution
Fairey (Geneva) [England], Russell Gray, (3)
18:03hrs
Energetic opening is agitated but a little scrappy too. Just a touch on the edgy side.
Following calmo is solid, lyrical and darkly hued, led well by horn.
1st trio — Up-tempo funk led by superb tuba, but balance with trom is not equal with that of perc and tuba. Lovely ensemble interlude.
2nd trio — Bravura jazz trio — boldly coloured virtuosi playing. Great snare drum.
Turbo boost and thumping drive move things along with Arabic thrust to huge climax.
Overall: A bold one this. Edgy at times but full of real energy and puposefulness in a high class show.
Cory Band [Wales], Dr Robert Childs, (2)
17:33hrs
High paced opening is boldly agitated and loudly defined. Powerhouse stuff.
Reflective calmo has beautiful horn lead and is played with dark atmosphere.
1st trio — Bang on 108 funk feel. Virtuosi playing from tuba, trom and perc. Ensemble interlude is so musically shaped.
2nd trio — Sheer virtuosity stuff from cornet, euph and perc.
Foot down for a scorching ride for home. This is some technical playing and what a finale and climax.
Overall: An immense statement of intent. Sheer technical brilliance gave lustre to musical artistry.
Treize-Etoiles [Switzerland], James Gourlay, (1)
17:06hrs
Energetic opening is agitated but a little scrappy at times.
Exciting stuff though.
Following calmo is very atmospheric with lovely horn lead.
1st trio — A little uneven but trom, tuba and perc get funky as does MD and band.
2nd trio — Up tempo virtuosi stuff. Edgy stuff but cornet, euph and perc got for it with style.
A fizzing drive for home with that Arabic hint that pushes to final climax.
Overall; A fine one to open from the Swiss. A charismatic performance of quality.
