2012 Welsh Open:
Grand Pavilion
Porthcawl
Starts: 12.00 noon
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Comments: Iwan Fox
Images from the contest can be seen at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1295a.asp
Images of the prize winners can be seen at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1295b.asp
What do we think?
A highly enjoyable day with a wide variety of repertoire on show and plenty of takes on the entertainment theme — some more succesful than others it must be said.
The standard did vary considerably though and some MDs didn't quite trust their band's potential to try something different.
Tredegar was in a different class today and should win by a comfortable margin with Tongwynlais showing a return to form to come a well deserved second.
BTM should repel the challenge of Northop with City of Cardiff for us in fifth and Tylorstown making up the top six. Pontardulais may be the dark horse.
4BR Prediction:
1. Tredegar
2. Tongwynlais Temperance
3. BTM
4. Northop
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffth)
6. Tylorstown
Dark Hose: Pontardulais
11. Northop (Russell Gray)
Bank Holiday
Rusalka's Song to the Moon (Soloist: Geraint Jones)
Bring back that Leroy Brown
Cantalina
Shostokovich 10th Symphony
A rare outing for a classy bit of Howard Snell writing to open is followed by a very tasteful cornet solo — played with real tenderness and sense lyricism. Bravo.
An old RG favourite — as Northop go all 1920's Freddie Mercury. It's slickly done but its starting to sound a touch dated nowadays. The original bit of Ray Farr to follow is well worth another listen though — an unusual little waltz gem.
The finale is an old one — getting on when Stalin was a lad. It's sounds a touch under rehearsed — a bold if scrappy finisher.
Overall:
A slightly uneven one from Northop. The good stuff was classy and played with style, but some it was a bit dated too. Just needed a touch more inventive thinking.
10. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
Thriller
Beautiful Colorado (Soloist: Matthew Jenkins)
Tonight
American Tale
Bont go all 'Whacko Jacko' with MD leading the dance troop (on and off screen!). Great driving kit lends a helping hand too. Is this where he was hiding out all those years?
A waltz solo — a real rarity these days, and played with such tasteful class by the soloist who is elegance personified despite the sometimes scratchy accompaniment.
The West Side Story crepusculor interlude doesn't quite come off, but the old Cory Hootenanny finisher works well (even with a narration that was more Port Talbot than Port Sumpter). All that was missing was raising of old glory... Good stuff.
Overall:
The American theme was well thought out, but was just a bit too uneven in execution at times. The classy soloist and the stars and stripes finisher may give it a top six boost.
9. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper)
Blue Sleeve Step
The Witch of the Westmorlands
Clap
Under the Boardwalk (Soloist: David James)
The Firebird (Final hymn)
The opening swing item is as bright as the MD's canary yellow shirt — and as sharply pressed too, whilst there is a fine contrast to follow — played with a warm lyricism and calming sense of atmosphere.
Bravo MD for having the cahoonas to use the contemporary McGhee work. It certainly got the audience thinking — and clapping...
The Drifters classic is a suave counterpoint — played with a touch of real class by the flugel soloist and dry wit by the accompaniment.
An old classic to end — but only the final hymn. Euph enjoys himself. Just has enough power reserve to build to a commanding close.
Overall:
90% reprise of their Butlins programme worked so much better on home soil. Much sharper, classier and bolder in approach — with a real attempt to try something inventive.
8. Markham & District (Adrian Morton)
Olympic Fanfare & Theme
Folk Festival
My 'ain Folk (Soloist: Robert Sweet)
I Will Follow Him (Trom trio)
Pines of the Appian Way
The opening fanfare and theme may not quite get a medal at London but it's a solid enough opener, whilst there is a brave old attempt to get the fizz and colour out of the classic Snell arrangement.
Flugel is an eloquent solo voice — warm in tone and tasteful in phrasing — with superb high last note, although the trom trio from Sister Act should be sent back to the nunnery. This was old hat when Mother Theresa was a lass.
A real oldie to close has just enough breath in the cohort of Markham legionaires to make it to the Circus Maximus — just.
Overall:
Solidly played, but so dated in the musical approach. There was the potential for so much more here but the opportunity wasn't taken.
7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
There's a Great Day Coming
Matra's Dance
Song & Greek Dance (Soloist: Byron Newton)
Letter from Home
Nightingale Dances
The slick opener is a Brass in Concert reprise and is played with razor sharp clarity. The fleet footed dance to follow fizzes with 'oirshness and a real stamp of authority too.
The euph soloist really goes to town with his Wilby Greek homage. The sharp accompaniment enhances a very fine performance. The contrast with the suave Methany is pronounced with warm ensemble shaped with delicacy.
It's left to the Matt Hall special to round things off with a thumping statement of quality.
Overall:
A highly professional piece of high class entertainment this — in anyone's book. A different class of playing delivered with such a confident air of commanding authority.
6. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard)
Prelude on Tallis
Concert Variations (Soloist: Nils Everett Richards)
A Festive Prelude
Cradle Song Variations
Coventry Variations
A solid start features lots of warm lead sounds (esp euph) and precise ensemble work, whilst the old Don Lusher classic is dusted off very well by the young tyro on trombone.
The Prelude theme is carried on with a brisk whip through the festive bit of Bulla — with its old Superman ending too.
It may be chicken in a basket in the local chippy, but its a baby in a moses basket with the 'Cradle Song' — complete with the bawling tot! A neat bit of humour.
Tovey's finale is a little scrappy in places as tiredness sets in, but they have enough stamina left for the bold finish.
Overall:
A clever bit of entertainment programming this. Some different takes on familiar themes and the humour worked too. Just tired to close, but overall it was an interesting and enjoyable mix.
5. BTM (Tom Davoren)
Over the Rainbow
Hailstorm (Soloist: Ian Roberts)
Sunrise over Blue Ridge
Visions of Kolkhis
The big band treatment of the Judy Garland classic whizzes and fizzes to start — and is certainly a different take, whilst the equally classic Rimmer solo is delivered with just odd bit of misplaced sleet. Fine effort though.
The homely touch of America is played with warmth and elegance — and so well shaped too.
It's another history lesson to end, with the MD's take on the Jason and Argonauts story and the golden fleece. Bold stuff, aided by great graphics.
All that was missing was the Ray Harryhausen stop go animation monsters. Plenty in the tank to make it safely home with a real flourish too.
Overall:
Bold playing this — not everything quite came off, but there was plenty to enjoy and real contrasts in style. Big finisher helps put them in pole position.
4. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Roberts)
Supergirl
Spiderman
A Beautiful Mind (Vocal Soloist: Samantha Lynn)
Masada
Tomorrow Never Dies (Vocal Soloist: Samantha Lynn)
Johnny English
It's Saturday morning at the pictures from Abergavenny — although the 'Supergirl' film must have gone straight to DVD for us... 'Spiderman, Spiderman' is more familiar though even in the Danny Elfman version.
Something different as a vocal feature — and the young lady sings as dramatically as her frock. Lots of envious eyes from the ladies in the audience too (and a few boggling ones from the men)...
The theme tune of the old 60's tv programme works with the choreography, even if the subject matter of mass suicide is a bit different.
The Bond girl is back to thump it out in good old Shirley Bassey fashion, before a Rowan Atkinson inspired closer rounds things off — a bit oddly.
Overall:
Certainly a different and inventive entertainment set. Not everything came off, but it brought us something to think about.
3. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Brooklyn (Soloist: Robin Hackett)
Imperial Echoes
Stabat Mater (Soloist: Fran Wilson)
Legends of Cyfarthfa
The funky bit of Americana starts the pulse racing with a great raggy trom, before the MD comes over all Tricky Dicky with the march. It swaggers, but not as slowly as the old maestro can get away with.
The 13th century bit of Holy Mother Mary via local lad Karl Jenkins is dramatic in the first section and neatly contrasted in the 'Lament' with a lovely euph lead.
Matt Hall's Simon Schama musical history of Cyfarthfa is rolled out as solidly as a lump of iron to close. We loves a bit of Welsh history we does.... It closes a well thought programme with a bit of well pitched hywl.
Overall:
Cardiff up the ante with a programme that tugged on the old Welsh heart strings. Neatly done with plenty of solid ensemble and solo work a feature.
2. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
Into the Light
Children of Sanchez (Soloist: Jane Price)
Spanning Revolutions
Y Bore Glas
King of Kings
Something a bit different to start with the Wilby opener, before flugel soloist Jane Price delivers a red hot chilli pepper touch of Mexicana.
Matt Hall's dip into Ironbridge history has plenty of ferrous sparks of excitement aided by some inventive imagery and steam driven anvil effects. Nice Welsh touch with the final two chords taken from the National Anthem!
The neat contrast is warmly delivered, before the Biblical finale (not a homage to Barry John) is has plenty of stamina to close, even if its not as long as a MGM epic...
Overall:
A well chosen programme this — plenty of inventive thought has gone into it. Neat contrasts — with a bit of old Welsh Bible story stuff to close too. A band on good form and very well led this.
1. Burry Port Town (Steve Sykes)
Festmusik de Stadt Wien
Le Cid
Largo al Factotum (Soloist: Gareth John)
Heroic March from Epic Symphony
The West Walians are off to a neat start with the Strauss Vienna fanfare, which is followed by a smart bit of Iberian ballet with the Snell arrangement of 'Le Cid'. Cracking sop playing tops the flavour.
Gareth John is the demon barber of Burry Port — all cut throat tuba with added vocals too. A nice little something for the weekend sir is all that is missing...Bravo Figaro.
A dip back into the midsts of time with the finale though — as yellow round the edges as Homer Simpson's fingertips. It's a touch scrappy though but with just enough in the tank for a big old finish.
Overall:
A good solid programme that was picked to show off the strengths of an emerging band. Great solo spot but just a few nasty ensemble little niggles may cost.
