With the European Championships just a few months away, a chill shiver of apprehension was felt in bandrooms across the continent as Eikanger Bjorsvik delivered a stunning message of intent to their Rotterdam bound rivals by retaining their Norwegian National title in coruscating fashion in Bergen.
Outstanding brace
Professor David King directed a brace of outstanding performances on the set work, ‘Goldberg 2012’ and the own choice selection, ‘From Ancient Times’.
They topped the results in both elements of the two legged contest, to defeat reigning European champion Manger Musikklag by a clear margin with Stavanger in third.
King's Trophy
It also saw Eikanger claim the 55,000 Krone first prize and the massive National Trophy for a record 14th time, whilst the MD took possession of the aptly named ‘King’s Trophy’ presented on behalf of King Harald V of Norway, for an unprecedented eighth time.
The band will now represent Norway at the 2013 European Championships in Oslo.
Mega band
Speaking to 4BR David King was almost overwhelmed by Eikanger’s victory: "It’s been a great day and a great weekend. What can I say – they are just an awesome band. It’s just terrific to be a part of it.
They are just a mega band – I don’t believe there is any band anywhere in the world better than this band at the moment."
Credit
He also took time to thank what he called the ‘backroom team’ too. "All credit to the band, but also to Reid Gilje and Frode (Ryland) and the backroom team behind the organisation."
And as to the complex test piece which set the band up to claim yet another National title?
"I have to thank Svein Henrik Giske for such a wonderful work," he added. "It’s one of the greatest pieces I have conducted for many years. It was a terrific composition – he is the man of tomorrow and of today. He has such a creative mind."
Compelling spectacle
The battle between the leviathans of Norwegian banding proved to be a compelling spectacle, with Manger’s flamboyant MD Peter Sebastian Szilvay drawing performances of intense musicality from the European champion, and Allan Withington leading a revitalised Stavanger with an engrossing sense of purposeful style.
Many neutrals in the Grieghallen on the Friday evening felt Manger had produced an almost unbeatable performance of the set work, but the judges John Wallace, Philip Harper and Karl Ole Midtbo felt otherwise and placed it only fourth.
Thrilling
It was a margin that proved impossible to bridge the following day, despite a thrilling rendition of Oliver Waespi’s ‘Audivi Media Nocte’, as Eikanger once more topped the judges results sheet with a superbly structured performance of Jan van der Roost’s former European test piece.
In addition to the overall title and the European qualification, Eikanger’s flugel player Gyda Matland claimed the ‘Best Soloist’ prize whilst their quartet of trombones took the ‘Best Section’ award.
Exciting
Behind the top two, Stavanger’s exciting rendition of ‘Vienna Nights’ helped them claim third place overall, whilst the growing quality of Ila Brass was confirmed as they took fourth ahead of Molde and Sola Brass.
They are just a mega band – I don’t believe there is any band anywhere in the world better than this band at the momentProf David King
First Division:
There was to be no fourth consecutive National title for pre-contest favourites Bergen Brass – despite the standing ovation gained from a packed hall at the conclusion of their performance.
Instead, an equally outstanding performance of ‘Harmony Music’ by Tertnes Brass conducted by John Philip Hannevik took the title and the 26,000 Krone first prize in what was a closely fought battle between the top three bands.
In a trio of high quality selections, Alan Morrison led Orskog Brass into second place with an expertly crafted rendition of ‘A Lowry Sketchbook’, whilst Bergen had to be content with third.
Their highly enjoyable ‘Variations on an Enigma’ led by Russell Gray, was enhanced by their immense tuba quartet, who deservedly took the ‘Best Section’ Award.
It was Tertnes’s fourth First Division win since 2003, with the judge’s praising its quality of ensemble balance and colour, as well as picking out the contribution of the main soloists, with their solo horn player taking the ‘Best Soloist’ Award.
Behind the podium finishers came a delighted Oster Brass, with Sorum Musikllag in fifth and Sandefjord Brass Symposium in sixth.
Second Division:
There was more high quality playing to enjoy from the podium finishers in the Second Division, as Askoy Brass directed by Eikanger’s resident conductor Reid Gilje delivered an outstanding rendition of ‘Tallis Variations’ to claim their first ever National title.
Full of warm ensemble sounds and subtle phrasing, it proved just good enough to beat off the contrasting challenge of Tomra Brass conducted by Nick Ost with their powerful account of ‘Cambridge Variations’.
That performance was enhanced by Belgian euphonium star, Glen Van Looy, who maintained his remarkable individual contest record by claiming yet another ‘Best Soloist’ Award, with his euphonium partner helping him to the ‘Best Section’ prize too.
Less than 24 hours after playing, he was in the UK to help Brass Band Heist win the £5,000 first prize at the DFDS Seaways Entertainment Contest in Dover.
Meanwhile, third place went to the delighted players of Alexander Brass, after they gave a controlled performance of ‘Connotations’ under Jacob Vilhein Larsen.
The band included in their ranks the popular Norwegian Anglophile, Morten E Hansen, who made his 33rd consecutive Nationals appearance playing next to his daughter in the cornet section.
The remaining top six places went to Tertnes Amatorkorps, Manger Old Stars and Haukas Musikklag.
Third Division:
Reid Gilje made it a personal ‘National Double’ in the Third Section on the Friday, as he led Flesland Musikklag, which hail from the area around Bergen’s international airport, to their first National success.
A boldly coloured rendition of ‘Excalibur’ by Jan van der Roost, enhanced by their prize winning percussion section, gave them a two point winning margin over Trondheim Politi’s Brass directed by Espen Andersen, who delivered a high energy performance of Stephen Bulla’s ‘Firestorm’.
Third place went to Gjovik Brass conducted by Thorbjorn Lunde, after they set the early contest marker with a detailed rendition of ‘Psalms & Alleluias’ by Philip Wilby, and which saw their solo cornet player take the ‘Best Soloist’ Prize.
In a contest that featured many ambitious choices of repertoire – some more successful than others – the final top six places went to Skui Brass, Stangaland Brass and Agder Brass.
Fourth Division:
There was a Hordaland area clean sweep in the Third Division as Tysnes Musikklag, Hordvik Musikklag and Lyshornet Brass battled it out between them for the domestic as well as National bragging rights.
In the end it was a well worked rendition of Philip Sparke’s ‘Portrait of a City’ directed by the vastly experienced Yngve Nikolaisen that saw Tysnes claim the 12,000 Krone first prize.
It was the band’s first National success since 2000 – also conducted by Yngve.
Tysnes was pushed all the way to the finishing line by two ‘back to back’ performances from their rivals earlier in the contest.
Hordvik, directed by Eikanger’s euphonium star Patrick Randefalk delivered a solid rendition of ‘Dimensions’ by Peter Graham, which included prize winning contributions from his fine solo euphonium and tuba section.
Meanwhile, the vastly experienced Karl Ole Midtbo led Lyshornet in two contrasting works of ‘David of the White Rock’ and ‘The Call of the Righteous’.
The final top six places were taken by Flora Bremanger, Musikkorpset Heimdal and Imi Brass.
Fifth Division:
There was a great contesting atmosphere in the fledgling Fifth Division contest where bands full to the brim with enthusiasm and talent provided wonderful entertainment in the Peer Gynt Hall on Friday morning.
In the end the first ever Fifth Division National title and the 7,000 Krone first prize was won by Bertnes Brass conducted by Borre Birkeland, who showed their ambition with a colourful rendition of ‘Laudate Dominum’. The band’s cornet section won the ‘Best Section’ Award.
It was a performance that proved just good enough to beat off the challenge of Filadelphia Hornokester Dramman, playing Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen’s ‘New Waves’ and ‘The Call of the Righteous’, with Sotra Brass in third, playing, ‘A Celtic Suite’. Their snare drum player claimed the ‘Best Soloist’ prize.
The final top six places went to Alsvag Brass, Tysvaer Brass and Fjordbrass Lavik.
Full Results:
Elite Division:
Adjudicators: (Set Work) Karl Ole Midtbø, Philip Harper, John Wallace
Adjudicators: (Own Choice) Andrew Berryman, Nigel Boddice, Tijmen Botma
Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Prof David King): 98/98 = 98
2. Manger Musikklag (Peter Sebastian Szilvay): 94/97 = 95.5
3. Stavanger (Allan Withington): 95/94 = 94.5
4. Molde Brass (Russell Gray): 96/91 = 93.5
5. Ila Brass (Thomas Rimul): 89/93 = 91
6. Sola Brass (Ian Porthouse): 92/89 = 90.5
7. Oslo Brass (Andreas Hanson): 90/90 = 90
8. Krohnengen (Gary Blake Petersen): — 91/88 = 89.5
9. Kleppe Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal): 88/90.5 = 89.25
10. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Dr Howard Evans): 87/86 = 86.5
Solo Prize: Flugel (Eikanger — Bjorsvik)
Section Prize: Trombones (Eikanger-Bjorsvik)
First Division:
Adjudicators: John Wallace & Philip Harper
1. Tertnes Brass (John Philip Hannevik) — 95
2. Ørskog Brass (Alan Morrison) — 94.5
3. Bjørsvik Brass (Russell Gray) — 94
4. Oster Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) — 92
5. Sørum Musikklag (Chritian Tenfjord) — 91
6. Sandefjord Brass Symposium (Tarjai Gilbrant) — 90
7. Radøy Brass (Helga Haukas) — 88
8. Oslofjord Brass (Simon Dobson) — 87
9. Musikkorpset (Espen Westbye) — 86
10. Brøttum Brass (Thorbjorn Lunde) — 85
11. Laksevåg Musikkforening — 84
12. Jølster Musikklag — 83
Solo Prize: Horn (Tertnes Brass)
Section Prize: Tubas (Bjørsvik Brass)
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Kim Lofthouse & Tijmen Botma
1. Askøy Brass (Reid Gilje) — 95
2. Tomra Brass (Nick Ost) — 94
3. Alexander Brass (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen) — 93
4. Tertnes Amatørkorps (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 90
5. Manger Old Star (Johannes Mangersnes) — 89
6. Haukås Musikklag (Jan Egil Jorgensen) — 88
7. Sagvåg Musikklag (Havard Kroka) — 87
8. Tromsø Brass (Tor Kristian R. Innbjor) — 86
9. Borge Brass (Oddvar Nostdal) — 85
10. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) — 84
11. Grenland Brass (Christopher Roedvang) — 83.5
12. Rong Brass (Eirik Gjerdevik) — 83
13. Lindås Brass (Helge Haukas) — 81
Solo Prize: Euphonium (Alexander Brass)
Section Prize: Euphoniums (Tomra Brass)
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Michael Antrobus & Nigel Boddice
1. Flesland Musikklag (Reid Gilje) — 94
2. Trondheim Politi's Brassband (Espen Andersen) — 92
3. Gjøvik Bybrass (Thorbjorn Lunde) — 90
4. Skui Brass (Henrik Dagestad Dalhaug) — 89
5. Stangaland Brass (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen) — 88
6. Agder Brass (Bjorn Breistein) — 87
7. Nes Musikkforening (Andres Halla) — 86.5
8. Fjell Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) — 86
9. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) — 85.5
10. Bergen Brass (Sturle Berntsen) — 85
11. Follesø Musikklag (Egil T. Magnussen) — 84.5
12. Flå Musikkorps (Odd Steinar Morkved) — 84
13. Hornorkesteret Stavanger (Mats Urdahl — Aasen) — 83.5
14. Fræna Musikkorps (David Morton) — 83
15. Randaberg Musikkorps (Benjamin Wiame) — 82
Solo Prize: Cornet (Gjøvik Bybrass)
Section Prize: Percussion (Flesland Musikklag)
Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Gavin David Lee & Kim Lofthouse
1. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 95
2. Hordvik Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk) — 94
3. Lyshornet Brass (Karl Ole Midtbo) — 93
4. Flora-Bremanger Brassband (Johnny Saelemyr) — 92
5. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Selmer Simonsen) — 91
6. Imi Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) — 90
7. Frei Hornmusikk (Tor Age Schunemann) — 89
8. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Geir Karlson) — 88
9. Langhus Brass (Tarjei Gilbrant) — 87
10. Lismarka/Mesnali Brass (Morten Fagerjord) — 86
11. Fagernes Musikkorps (Freddy Haug) — 85.5
12. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) — 85
13. Salhus Musikklag (Christian Breistein) — 84
14. Rosendal Musikklag (Torstein Hatlevik) — 83
15. Moen Musikkforening (Thomas Petersen) — 82
Solo Prize: Euphonium (Hordvik Musikklag)
Section Prize: Tubas (Hordvik Musikklag)
Fifth Division:
Adjudicators: Bjørn Sagstad & Gavin David Lee
1. Bertnes Brass (Borre Birkeland) — 95
2. Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen (Thor Willy Karlsen) — 94
3. Sotra Brass (Thor-Arne Pedersen) — 93
4. Alsvåg Brass (Oddvar Nostdal) — 91
5. Tysvær Brass (Clive James Zwanswiniski) — 90
6. Fjordbrass Lavik (Jason Burn) — 89
7. Florø Hornmusikk (Jason Burn) — 88
8. Rudsbygd Brass (Per Kristian O Syversen) — 87
9. Hetlevik Musikklag (Einar Gjelsvik) — 86
10. Brumunddal Brass (Martin Schadlich) — 85
11. Saksumdal Musikkforening (Erik Sorlien) — 84
12. Ålvik Musikklag (Torbjorn Dagestad Jr) — 83
Solo Prize: Snare drum (Sotra Brass)
Section Prize: Cornets (Bertnes Brass)
