Eikanger Bjorsvik made it a domestic Norwegian ‘Double’ on the weekend when they reclaimed the prestigious SIDDIS Entertainment title to add to their National Championship success in Bergen earlier in the year.
Sweet tasting doubles
And the ‘doubles’ tasted even sweeter from the bar at Stavanger's Konserthus Hall well into the small hours of the night for the Eikanger players, as they celebrated beating title holders and current European Champion Manger Musikklag into second place, with local favourites Stavanger in third.
As expected, a high-class Elite contest produced polished performances from the nine competing bands.
However, it was Eikanger’s colourful mix of genres and styles, from the Argentinean tango of Alberto Ginastera and cool Americana of Pat Metheny to the ethereal sounds of Morten Lauridsen and jazz of Fats Waller that helped them claim their 15th victory at the event.
Eye catching
With a number of the arrangements by conductor Reid Gilje, allied to eye-catching choreography, it gave Eikanger a clear four point winning margin courtesy of judges Frøydis Ree Wekre and Philip Harper.
Eikanger set their stall out from the first crack of the side drum introduction as the players walked on playing Benny Goodman’s take on the Fats Waller classic ‘Stealing Apples’.
Pulsating tango
That led into a pulsating tango with Ginastera’s ‘Argentinean Dance No 3’, before an innovative piece of stage management saw the players turn their backs on the audience to deliver a spellbinding ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ by Morten Lauridsen, complete with haunting vocals.
The band closed with a tour de force, all singing, all clapping, all playing showcase of modern American jazz with ‘The First Circle’ by Pat Metheny, which featured the remarkable talents of 16-year-old trombonist Endre Rydland Vetas.
Huge boost
The victory gave Eikanger a huge boost of confidence as they look forward to defending their National title in Bergen in February, as well as locking horns with Manger once more at the 2012 European Championships in Rotterdam.
Manger had to be content with the runner up spot after a sparkling performance of their ‘Bon Anniversaire Suite’ under the direction of conductor and arranger Martin Winter.
The band closed with a tour de force, all singing, all clapping, all playing showcase of modern Americana with ‘The First Circle’ by Pat Metheny, which featured the remarkable talents of 16-year-old trombonist Endre Rydland Vetas4BR
Fizzing
A fizzing Russian inspired ‘Cheburashka’ led into a quirky Mexican fiesta featuring euphonium soloist Birthe Carlsen in ‘Las Mananitas’, whilst the New Orleans jazz take on ‘Happy Birthday’ was followed by the beautifully delivered ‘Mein Geburtsdag Im Casino 2065’ and the funky ‘Hurra for Deg’ to close.
However, despite the immediate standing ovation from the packed hall it wasn’t enough to deny Eikanger the opportunity to claim their fifth title in seven years.
War & Peace
Four time winner Stavanger showed that they are close to their best once more with a programme inspired by the contrasting emotions of ‘War & Peace’ from the pen of British composer Andy Scott.
From the terrors of the Battle of Barossa to Nelson Mandela’s remarkable insistence on peaceful reconciliation following 27 years of imprisonment, MD Allan Withington drew on a rich palette of musical colours and emotions – most notably from the outstanding ‘Best Soloist’ prizewinner, cornet player Eva Bortne in, ‘My Mountain Top’.
4'33"
Elsewhere the Norwegian spirit of innovation was clearly heard – or not as the case may be — with the performance by Montebello Brass of 4’33” by John Cage.
It rounded off an intriguing, satirically inspired programme under the direction of Dr. P. N. Kragh-Riesling, which also included items as diverse as Eric Ball’s ‘Songs of the Morning’ and Idar Torskangerpoll’s ‘5110401’.
Fashion faux-pas
Oslo’s well planned programme saw them gain fourth place for the second year running, beating Sola’s more traditionally balanced set into fifth, whilst Krohnengen’s ‘Tropical Celebration’ complete with Hawaiian shirts, ukuleles and MD Gary Petersen in a fashion faux-pas of shorts, sandals and white socks, came sixth.
An inventive set from a slightly misfiring Olsofjord was seventh, ahead of the satirical champagne socialists Montebello and Jaren Hornmusikkforening.
First Section
In an enjoyable First Section, the ‘retired’ stars of Bjorsvik Brass produced a stunning display of musical virtuosity to defend their title in considerable style under the baton of Bjorn Sagstad.
The current Second Division National champion, which is made up of many former Eikanger players such as Frode Rydland on soprano and Tormod Flaten on euphonium, made it a ‘Bjorsvik Double/Double’.
Spanking
They produced a spanking rendition of Shostakovich’s ‘Festival Overture’, followed by the baritone solo, ‘The Swan’.
William Rimmer’s march, ‘ORB’ led into Jelly Roll Morton’s New Orleans jazz classic ‘Black Bottomed Stomp’ which segued into the finale of Pat Metheny’s ‘Minuano’ led by ‘Best Soloist’ winner, tuba player/lead vocalist Ståle Sleire Johansen.
It proved to be enough to retain their title just ahead of the strong challenge from 2009 champion Askøy Brass, with Radøy Brass in third.
Second Division
In the Second Division there was a first taste of SIDDIS success from Tromso Brass, conducted by Geir Davidsen, who claimed a clear three point winning margin over Tertnes Amatørkorps with Hasle Brass in third, whose trombone player Cathrine Opheim took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize
Third Division
There was also first time success for Third Division winners IMI Brass conducted by Per-Erik Petersen, who produced a remarkable turn around of entertainment fortunes to take the title with a four point winning margin, after coming last in 2010.
They beat off the challenge of Tysvær Brass with Krapfoss Hornorkester in third.
Fourth Division
In a highly enjoyable Fourth Division contest there was plenty for youthful adjudicators Simon Dobson and Katrina Marzella to enjoy.
Seim Musikklag conducted by Asbjørn Hauge took the honours despite losing a point to their overall score for going over time.
The multi talented Ranveig Olsen took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize thanks to his individual contribution that include a stunning piece of saxophone playing. Tysnes Musikklag was second with Riska Musikkorps in third.
Gender equality
In total, 54 bands took to the stage in Stavanger, whilst the sense of forward thinking on behalf of the organisers was shown this year by the decision to insist on gender equality in the selection of adjudicators.
Results:
Elite Division:
Performance/Programme = Total
Adjudicators: Frøydis Ree Wekre & Philip Harper
1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje) 98/10 = 108
2. Manger Musikklag (Martin Winter) 96/8 = 104
3. Stavanger (Allan Withington) 94/9 = 103
4. Oslo Brass (Frode Amundsen) 92/8 = 100
5. Sola Brass (Michael Antrobus) 90/8 = 98
6. Krohnengen Brass (Gary Peterson) 91/5 = 96
7. Oslofjord Brass (Simon Dobson) 88/6 = 94
8. Montebello Brass (Dr. P. N. Kragh-Riesling) 87/7 = 94
9. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (John Philip Hannevik) 86/5 = 91
Soloist Prize: Eva Bortne — cornet (Stavanger)
First Division:
Performance/Programme = Total
Adjudicators: Grethe W. Tonheim & Andy Scott
1. Bjørsvik Brass (Bjørn Sagstad) 98/8 = 106
2. Askøy Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) 95/9 = 104
3. Radøy Brass (Magnus Brandseth) 94/8 = 102
4. Laksevåg Musikkforening (Reid Gilje) 92/8 = 100
5. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Espen Westbye) 91/8 = 99
6. Kleppe Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal) 89/9 = 98
7. Alexander Brass Band (Jakob V. Larsen) 89/8 = 97
8. Oster Brass (Torstein Aa.-Nilsen) 88/8 = 96
9. Sørum Musikklag (Christian Tenfjord) 87/7 = 94
Soloist Prize: Ståle Sleire Johansen – tuba (Bjørsvik Brass)
Second Division:
Performance/Programme = Total
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston & Morten E. Hansen
1. Tromsø Brass (Geir Davidsen) 97/9 = 106
2. Tertnes Amatørkorps (Sindre Dalhaug) 95/8 = 103
3. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) 94/8 = 102
4. Fjell Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) 92/8 = 100
5. Manger Old Star Brass (Johannes Mangersnes) 91/6 = 97
6. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) 90/7 = 97
7. Rong Brass (Eirik Gjerdevik) 90/6 = 96
8. Stangaland Brass (Jan Magne Olsen) 89/7 = 96
9. Agder Brass (Åsmund Gjære) 89/6 = 95
10. Hornorkesteret Stavanger (Mats Urdal Aasen) 88/7 = 95
11= Flesland Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk) 87/6 = 93
11= Sagvåg Musikklag (Håvard Kroka) 87/6 = 93
13. Lindås Brass (Hogne Holmås) 86/6 = 92
14. Haukås Musikklag (Jan Egil Jørgensen) 85/5 = 90
15. Follesø Musikklag (Egil Magnussen) 84/5 = 89
Soloist Prize: Cathrine Opheim – trombone (Hasle Brass)
Third Division:
Performance/Programme = Total
Adjudicators: Irene Anda & Tom Brevik
1. IMI Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) 96/8 = 104
2. Tysvær Brass (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen) 95/5 = 100
3. Krapfoss Hornorkester (Espen Ødegaard) 92/7 = 99
4. Langhus Brass (Tarjei Gilbrant) 91/8 = 99
5= Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars-Bjørnar Strengenes) 90/8 = 98
5= Randaberg Musikkorps (Morten Wensberg) 90/8 = 98
7. Lyshornet Brass (Karl Ole Midtbø) 89/8 = 97
8. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Geir Karlson) 89/7 = 96
9. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Per Olav Paulsen) 88/8 = 96
10. Hordvik Musikklag (Patrick Randefalk) 88/7 = 95
11= Salhus Musikklag (Knut Emil Mjøs) 87/7 = 94
11= Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) 87/7 = 94
13. Rosendal Musikklag (Torstein Hatlevik) 87/6 = 93
Soloist Prize: Lars Bjørnar Strengenes/Britt Hilde Våge – euphonium (Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble)
Fourth Division:
Performance/Programme = Total
Adjudicators: Katrina Marzella & Simon Dobson
1. Seim Musikklag (Asbjørn Hauge) 94/9-1 = 102
2. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) 93/7 = 100
3. Riska Musikkorps (Arne Stian Aarrestad) 91/6 = 97
4. Sotra Brass (Thor Arne Pedersen) 89/7 = 96
5. Hetlevik Musikklag (Einar Gjelsvik) 88/6 = 94
6. Fitjar Musikklag (Torbjørn Røssland) 87/6 = 93
7. Lyngdal Brass (Jostein Sneve) 86/4 = 90
8. Hinna Brass (Else Irene Kjellevold) 84/6 = 90
Soloist Prize: Ranveig Olsen – Saxophone (Seim Musikklag)
