The European Championships are taking place at the Stravinski Hall, Montreux.

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European Championships — Championship Section: Own Choice

Adjudicators: Blaise Heritier, Luc Vertommen and Allan Withington
Draw: 08.00hrs
Commence: 1300hrs (BST+1)

Overall Prediction

This could go just about anyway you care to mention, but on what we opted for over the two days on placings, we think Cory have just done enough to take the title once more.

Right behind for us come Tredegar, then Manger, Treize Etoiles, Fairey and Schoonhoven. Limburgse are in seventh, with Windcorp, Lyngby and Kingdom.

We will repeat though — this is the most open Euro for many, many years...

Overall:
1. Cory
2. Tredegar
3. Manger
4. Treize Etoiles
5. Fairey (Geneva)
6. Schoonhoven
7. Noord Limburgse
8. Windcorp
9. Lyngby Taarbeak
10. Kingdom Brass

4BR Own Choice Prediction

What an interesting day — with some amazing performances of amazing works.

Cory for us today, but there may be questions over the tempos — it was ferocious stuff. Manger displayed all their quality to be on their coat tails with Tredegar there too.

Fairey, Noord Limburgse and Treize Etoile are well matched just behind.

4BR Own Choice Prediction:

1. Cory
2. Manger
3. Tredegar
4. Fairey
5. Noord Limburgse
6. Treize Etoile

10. Cory Band [Wales], Dr Robert Childs
From Ancient Times [Jan Van der Roost]
17:30hrs

Wonderfully measured atmospheric start leads to playing of technical brilliance — although there are a couple of nasty blips.

This is very bold ensemble playing — huge sounds and effects.

The technique on display is stunning with added bonus of virtuoso soloists.

Euphs really lead the lyrical section that tugs on the heart strings.

The full organ stops are pulled out in the finale. Supreme stuff leads to epic close.

Overall: As a contest performance it was hard to find a fault with this. This was playing of such technical authority and musical virtuosity.

9. Tredegar [Wales], Ian Porthouse
Destroy, Trample, as Swiftly as She [Gavin Higgins]
16:56hrs

Dark and nasty to open, full of menace and destructive effects.

Excellent ensemble clarity even at high volume with 4 flugels leading the way.

It's very different this but draws you into the darkness.

Great detail is heard at very high pace.

Plenty of wierd and wonderful effects but the ensemble playing is so compact and precise.

Superb solo cornet and trom lead atmospheric lyrical interlude.

Returns to the very sinister recesses for a hugely fearsome standing close.

Overall: An exceptionally brave choice that totally engrossed with its very contemporary invention. It was the WOW piece today.

8. Windcorp [Sweden], Garry Cutt
Rococo Variations [Edward Gregson]
16:30hrs

Stylish and lyrical opening has a broad sweeping feel to it that is so elegant.

There is a great deal to enjoy with this music making — especially the darkly hued waltz.

Sop is excellent and so too troms in McCabe homage.

Just loses focus in places but the dark Heaton interlude has a really sinister feel despite the noticable errors.

The fugue is not quite as diabolical as it should be, but despite the obvious tiredness they deliver a bold close.

Overall: A performance rich in style if not all substance. It did lose its focus on occasions but it was a rendition of musical maturity.

7. Kingdom Brass [Scotland], Andrew Duncan
Titan's Progress [Hermann Pallhuber]
16:05hrs

Slightly untidy to open but recovers well and there is some fine ensemble work fully displayed.

MD takes a risk with slow tempo which loses the flow of the music.

It becomes messy in places and the tempos lose the character in the music for us.

Fine solo cornet and baritone feature as things get back on track with a sense of wit.

Well paced fugue sets band up for their best playing, but it just tires to close.

Overall: A brave effort on an exceptionally difficult work. Plenty to enjoy but the inherent problems will be costly today.

6. Manger Musikklag [Norway], Peter Szilvay
Old Licks Bluesed Up [Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
15:35hrs

Great sounds to open. Little clips but there is so much to enjoy with some stunning ensemble work leaving scorch marks before the neat close.

The lengthy second movement is a bass trombone showcase and by heck the lady delivers.

There is a real sensuous feel to the playing right to tuba funk ending.

Bold pacy finale is so well controlled in dynamic to allow detail to flourish.

Absolute thumping close.

Overall: Superb playing of a work that just draws you into its heart. There was plenty of stunning playing here to enjoy. Breathtaking.

Half way opinion

An intriguing mix of works so far, and plenty of quality playing on show.

Fairey (Geneva) sounded a totally different band today — outstanding stuff on a great piece from Simon Dobson. They have put themselves right back in the frame with this one.

Limburgse once again impressed despite the odd moment of unease and so too Treize Etoile with a brave choice that was just tarnished by some dodgy tuning.

Fairey for us though so far.

1. Fairey (Geneva)
2. Noord Limburgse
3. Treize Etoile

5. Fairey (Geneva) [England], Russell Gray
A Symphony of Colours [Simon Dobson]
14:46hrs

Dramatic opening is full of huge effects as well as subtle nuance.

A peculiar type of 'joy' this as stated — but it draws you in.

Stunning percussion playing is so effective and backs virtuosi euphonium, two sops and solo cornet.

There are wonderful sounds heard here.

The final section really is a construction of increasing sound and textures, opening reprise and climactic ascent.

Euph excels before great ending.

Overall: A world premiere of considerable stature and interest. This was gripping music making delivered in a superb manner.

4. Schoonhoven [Netherlands], Erik Jannsen
Music of the Spheres [Philip Sparke]
14:20hrs

Nasty horn blip marrs opening that is certainly a big banger! (bass drum esp).

It fairly fizzes along but its scrappy in the ensemble at times and with some solo lines.

There is real drama and colour but it is splashed about a bit.

Again the asteroids and shooting stars sometimes misfire, amid the excitement.

The broad sounds are warm in final section and there is plenty left in the tank to really explode in the finale, with great troms leading the way.

Overall: A bit of a rollercoaster this. High on colour, drama and excitement but there were clips in execution and ensemble precision. Very enjoyable though.

3. Treize-Etoiles [Switzerland], James Gourlay
Concerto for Brass Band [Kenneth Downie]
13:25hrs

Neat opening has plenty of detail and brio. Dynamically coherant too and played with a fine style.

The Heaton motifs are all heard, although final bars are untidy.

The scherzo with its Harmony Music rhythms is played with razor sharpness and great drive. Short, powerful and very effective this.

Slow sections flows but it sounds a little strained in some lead lines.

MD takes some risks, but they just about pay off. Poor final chord though.

Finale is played with pace and precision. It drives with purpose right to the bold ending.

Overall: A brave choice this that very nearly came off big style. Plenty of wonderful playing and a super reading, but did it really thrill?

2. Noord-Limburgse [Belgium], Ivan Meylemans
Montage [Peter Graham]
13:25hrs

An impressive opening showcases some wonderful solo lines. Euph is excellent but the trom really shines.

There is detail and precision about this despite the odd tuning issue in ensemble.

More confident, stylish playing with the cornet and euph on prime form in a very cultured musical approach by MD.

Really lovely stuff.

Opening to 3rd movement is out with sop and tuba but it recovers so well.

Real bravura stuff — just a little over-excited in places but a great arrow bolt into the ground to close.

Overall: What an impressive performance this was. Excellent soloists backed by solid ensemble and top rate reading by MD. A real high quality marker.

1. Lyngby-Taarbaek [Denmark], Selmer Simonsen
A Tale as Yet Untold [Philip Sparke]
13:00hrs

A confident start has energy and detail to go with the flow.

Only little clips but plenty of fine playing (esp. sop) in 1st movement that was impressively executed.

Not as secure in 2nd movement though — it's uneven in too many solo lines and lumpy ensemble.

The musical intention is there but it has been very fragile.

Finale is exciting but scrappy.

Flows with purpose and drive to a 'big old' all bells blazing finish.

Overall: Didn't really live up to its initial promise this. Fragile 2nd movement and scrappy finale will cost them.