Allan Withington’s remarkable run of major contesting success continued at the Siddis Brass Championship on the weekend, as he led the home town favourites to their first title at Norway’s premier entertainment competition since 2004.
Sixth victory
Stavanger secured their sixth victory in the contest’s 30 year history and the 18,000 Krone first prize with a programme entitled, ‘Forskjellige Tog’ (‘Different Trains’).
It featured eight works either composed or arranged by Allan's close friend and musical associate Robin Dewhurst of repertoire by Jimmy Forrest, Arthur Honegger, Johnny Douglas and Pat Methany.
It gave a rejuvenated band a comprehensive four point winning margin over defending champion Eikanger-Bjorsvik conducted by Reid Gilje.
Bjorsvik Brass, made up of a majority of former Eikanger players, certainly showed that they will be a force at the Elite Division National Championship in Bergen in February by coming third under the baton of Bengt Florvag.
MD reflects
Speaking to 4BR after the announcement of the results, the winning MD reflected on yet another major success in what has become a truly memorable contesting year.
"I'm very pleased of course, but more so as Stavanger is now really gaining reward for taking a long term approach to rebuilding with more locally based players," Allan Withington said.
"Robin Dewhurst is such a brilliant musical talent and his arrangements and compositions were fantastic. The band has worked very hard over the past month or so on the programme as well as our Gala Concert set too, so they deserve all the congratulations and celebrations."
Credit
Allan also revealed a little about the inspiration behind his ever inventive musical programming.
"Robin really has to take credit for it," he said modestly.
"We are always keen to explore more than just the musical aspect of a performance, so with this programme we tried to bring the sights and sounds, the experiences and feelings of all things to do with railways; from a journey’s start to its terminus end – the types of trains, stations, the movement of passengers, the timetables and the constant feeling of progress and movement."
That was certainly shown with a highly choreographed set that started with Pat Methany’s ‘Last Train Home’ featuring euphonium player Per Illguth, before steaming along with Jimmy Forrest’s ‘Night Train’.
Dewhurst trio
A trio of Robin Dewhurst compositions, ‘Going Places’, ‘The Quiet Zone’ and ‘Mind the Gap!’ drew musical contrasts and colour from the inventive stage movement of the players, before a real reminder of Victorian England with music from the film ‘The Railway Children’ featuring Torill Tynning on cornet.
The final stretch of musical track was provided by Honegger’s ‘Pacific 321’ and Robin Dewhurst’s terminal programme departure, ‘Coda’.
Secret
"It’s a great success for the band," Allan added. "The younger players are developing so well as musicians, so the future looks good."
He also revealed a bit of a youthful secret too: "I really enjoyed the music from the Railway Children – all young men my age were secretly in love with Jenny Aguter in the film!"
Allan concluded: "The response to the Gala Concert premiere of ‘Mr Warhol — are you real?’ was brilliant too – although I have to admit that after the last few weeks Kirsten and I are looking forward to a bit of a banding break – perhaps by train!"
Eikanger denied
There was to be no repeat success for the double National champions who were well beaten by their rivals.
Eikanger opened with 'E.G. Blues' in a set that segued into 'Freylachs' by Adam Gorb, 'Lux Aurumque' by Eric Whitacre and closed with the 'Finale’ from the Saint-Saens 'Organ Symphony'.
The defending champion had to content themselves with second place and 10,000 Krone and the knowledge that after a few years of struggle a formidable rival has returned back to top class form ahead of their National title defence at the Greighallen.
Bjorsvik brilliance
An engrossing mix of relaxed brilliance saw Bjorsvik Brass claim third place.
The opening 'Candide Overture' was followed the flugel solo 'You Needed Me', featuring Gry Viola Impelluso, before moving through 'Farvel til en Slavisk Kvinne', 'Bring back that Leroy Brown' and the closing 'Puls' arranged by Svein Henrik Giske.
There was an encouraging fourth place finish for Kleppe Musikklag, who finished just a point behind their rivals, thanks to an inventive programme inspired by a round the world trip in around 23 minutes, whilst Kronhengen came fifth with a more traditional approach that finished with the final part of 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants'.
Best Soloist
One of Norwegian banding's star performers, Rune Gundersen took the Best Soloist prize for his fine performance of Pat Methany's, 'Back in Time' in Sola's 'Secret Story' set.
Behind them came Jaren with a programme that featured music from the pens of British composers Peter Meechan and Simon Dobson, whilst the Cornish composer led his young Oslofjord Band in a varied set that featured works from Rimmer to Lecuona.
The famously provocative Montebello Brass was ninth. Their rather ironically entitled, 'The official opening of Stavanger Concert Hall' offering was a tongue in cheek set in honour of the magnificent, if eye wateringly expensive, new cultural hub of the oil rich city in which the contest took place.
I really enjoyed the music from the Railway Children – all young men my age were secretly in love with Jenny Aguter in the film!Allan Withington
First Division:
In a high class First Division contest, victory and the 10,000 Krone first prize went to Askoy Brass under the direction of the multi faceted Svein Henrik Giske.
The 2011 runner up went one place better this year thanks to a programme inspired by 'Pop Legends', which included music from Robbie Williams, Sting & Eva Cassidy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Burt Bacharach, Billy Joel and Paul Simon.
Caught the ear
It certainly caught the ear of judges Garry Cutt and Cathrine Winnes Trevino, who awarded it a three point winning margin over Musikkorpset Gjallahorn with Alexander Brass a further three points back in third.
Gjallahorn's intriguing programme entitled 'Strolling with the Groove' under Espen Westbye featured music originally written by famous Blood, Sweat & Tears jazz trombonist Jens Wendelboe.
Euphonium player Mats Urdahl Aasen claimed the 'Best Soloist' Award for his exciting performance of the plate smashing, 'Zeibekikos' with Alexander Brass, as they claimed third place conducted by Clive James Zwanswiniski.
Second Division:
The international adjudication team of Brass Band Oberostereich's Thomas Beiganz and Whitburn's Anne Crookston enjoyed 16 excellent performances in the Second Division contest.
Victory eventually went to Rong Brass, conducted by the great tuba star Eirik Gjerdivik, with an eclectic set that included music by Torbjorn Egner, Andre Michel, La Rocca, Pat Methany and Andy Sheppard.
Second title
It was Rong's second Siddis title, following their last win in 2006, and saw them narrowly beat off the strong challenge of Fjell Brass with Tertnes Amatorkorps a point further back in third.
Fjell, conducted by Reid Gilje, included music from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to Astor Piazolla, whilst Tertnes, directed by Magnus Brandseth, included diverse items from Mozart and Freddie Mercury to Duke Ellington.
The 'Best Soloist' Award was claimed by Jan Tore Jacobsen, the Eb Tuba player of Skui Brass for his virtuoso contribution to their closing item, 'Lucerne Song'.
Third Division:
Follesso Musikklag proved that they were ‘shaken and possibly stirred’ into contest winning action as they bounced back from their relegation in 2011 to claim their second Siddis title.
They took the 4,000 Krone first prize under the baton of the experienced Bjorn Breistein — all thanks to a little bit of well placed musical help from James Bond.
Return to form
It proved to be a contest that saw a return to Siddis form for all three podium finishers, with second placed Skeie Brass consigning last year's joint 11th pace finish with third placed Salhus, into the dustbin of entertainment history.
The winners opened their 50th anniversary 007 set with the famous John Barry theme, before taking a musical trip through some of the best Bond tunes ever before ending with the soundtrack to 'Thunderball'.
Former Grimethorpe sop star Nigel Fielding led Skeie Brass through a set inspired by the greats of the early swing era from Duke Ellington to Louis Prima, whilst Salhus, with Sindre Dalhaug at the helm, delivered a programme that had a touch of the Latin American about it.
The Best Soloist award went to Tysnes cornet player Camilla Sjovold for her lovely rendition of 'Nessun Dorma'.
Fourth Division:
Just five bands took part in the Fourth Division contest, where Rosendal Musikklag claimed the 3,000 Krone first prize thanks to a well worked programme under the vastly experienced Yngve Nikolaisen.
They bounced back from their 2011 relegation with a set inspired by national folk music, rounded off by the free flowing 'Norwegian Dance' by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.
Norsk
Sotra Brass ended just two points behind under the direction of Thor-Arne Pedersen, with music from Philip Sparke, Nicholas Brodsky and Eilif Gulbrandsson, whilst third placed Fitjar Musikklag were also inspired by all things Norwegian in their set entitled 'Norsk!'
The Best Soloist award went to euphonium player Bjorn Paulsen of Hetlevik Muiskklag for his fine rendition of 'Let Me Try Again'.
Bergen to come
With the National Championships to be held in Bergen in just three months time all eyes will now be on a revitalised Stavanger to see if they can build on this confidence boosting success and reclaim the biggest title of all for the first time since 2007.
Results:
Elite Division:
Adjudicators: Philip Sparke & Aline Nistad
Entertainment Adjudicator: Nils Cristian Fossdal
1. Stavanger (Allan Withington) — 98
2. Eikanger Bjørsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje) — 94
3. Bjørsvik Brass (Bengt Florvag) — 91
4. Kleppe Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal) — 90
5. Kronhengen (Gary Peterson) — 85
6. Sola Brass (Jacob V. Larsen) — 82
7. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Tormod Flaten) — 81
8. Oslofjord (Simon Dobson) — 80
9. Montebello Brass (Prof Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling) — 75
Entertainment Prize: Eikanger Bjørsvik Musikklag
Best Soloist: Rune Gundersen (flugel) -Sola Brass
First Division:
Adjudicators: Garry Cutt & Cathrine Winnes Trevino
Entertainment + Music = Total
1. Askøy Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) — 9/94 = 103
2. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Espen Westbye) — 8/92 = 100
3. Alexander Brass (Clive James Zwanswiniski) — 6/91 = 97
4. Oster Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) — 7/90 = 97
5. Radøy Brass (Magnus Barandseth) — 6/89 = 95
6. Laksevåg Musikkforening (Oyvind Nikolaisen) — 6/88 = 94
Best Soloist: Mats Urdahl Aasen (euphonium) — Alexander Brass
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Thomas Beiganz & Anne Crookston
Entertainment + Music = Total
1. Rong Brass (Eirik Gjerdivik) — 9/96 = 105
2. Fjell Brass (Reid Gilje) — 9/94 = 103
3. Tertnes Amatørkorps (Magnus Brandseth) — 9/93 = 102
4. Bergen Brass (Simon Wood) — 8/92 = 100
5. Haukås Musikklag (Jan Egil Jorgensen) — 8/91 = 99
6. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) — 7/90 = 97
7. Manger Old Star Brass (Knut Emil Mjos) — 7/89 = 96
8= Flesland Musikklag (Patrick Randefalk) — 7/88 = 95
8= Stangaland Brass (Mats Urdal-Aasen) — 7/88 = 95
10. Sagvåg Musikklag (Jan Magne Olsen) — 6/87 = 93
11= Skui Brass (Henrik Dagestad-Dalhaug) — 6/86 = 92
11= IMI Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) — 6/86 = 92
13. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) — 5/85 = 90
14. Tysvær Brass (Clive James Zwanswiniski) — 5/84 = 89
15. Lindås Brass (Oddvar Nostdal) — 5/83 = 88
16. Agder Brass (Asmund Gjaere) — 5/82 = 87
Best Soloist: Jan Tore Jacobsen (Eb tuba) — Skui Brass
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Elisabeth Fossan & Per Kristian Svensen
Entertainment + Music = Total
1. Follesø Musikklag (Bjorn Breistein) — 9/95 = 104
2. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) – 9/93 = 102
3. Salhus (Sindre Dalhaug) — 6/92 = 98
4. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Ovrebekk) — 7/91 = 98
5. Lyshornet Brass (Karl Ole Midtbo) — 6/90 = 96
6. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 7/89 = 96
7. Hordvik Musikklag (Patrick Randfalk) — 7/88 = 95
8. Seim Musikklag (Asbjorn Hauge) — 9/86 = 95
9. Langhus Brass (Tarjei Gilbrant) — 7/85 = 92
10. Gjøvik Bybrass (Pal Owe Tansaether) — 6/87 = 91*
11. Indre Torungen B.E. (Lars-Bjorner Strengenes) — 6/85 = 91
12. Eidsberg Brass (Hans Petter Rinstad) — 6/84 = 90
13. Randaberg Musikkorps (Benjamin Wiame) — 6/83 = 89
* 2 point time penalty
Best Soloist: Camilla Sjøvold (cornet) — Tysnes Musikklag
Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Jens T. Larsen & Linda Saglien Svensen
Entertainment + Music = Total
1. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 8/93 = 101
2. Sotra Brass (Thor-Arne Pedersen) — 7/92 = 99
3. Fitjar Musikklag (Torjorn Rossland) — 7/88 = 95
4. Hetlevik Musikklag (Einar Gjelsvik) — 5/89 = 94
5. Lyngdal Brass (Jostein Sneve) — 5/86 = 91
Best Soloist: Bjorn Paulsen (euphonium) — Hetlevik Musikklag
