The Lyngby-Taarbæk Band has won the 2014 Danish National Brass Band Championship title to secure its place at the 2015 European Championships in Freiburg.
Outstanding
Directed by David Childs, they produced two outstanding performances of the set work, 'Arabian Nights — Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Brass Band’ by Stephen Roberts, plus their own choice selection of ‘Symphony in Two Movements’ by Edward Gregson, to claim the title for the third time in the last four years and twelfth time overall.
First
The band was placed first in each category by all the adjudicators at the Symphonic Concert Hall in Musikhuset Aarhus, as they comfortably held off the strong challenge of reigning champion Concord Brass Band conducted by Russell Gray, with Silkeborg Blæserne directed by Gert Skovlod Hattesen in third.
Commanding performance
The victory was built on a commanding performance of the 2013 British Open set work, followed by an equally impressive rendition of the Gregson opus, whilst Concord opted for Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Blue Empires’ as they came a clear second with Silkeborg Blæserne performing ‘Concerto Grosso’ by Derek Bourgeois.
Lyngby’s performance of ‘Arabian Nights’ was described by the composer, who was one of five judges, as having, ‘…so much passion and energy…the MD did such a fine job. Fantastic!’, whilst Anne Crookston called it, a ‘great reading… you find the music so well.’
Gregson’s ‘Symphony in Tow Movements’ also elicited impressive responses in the box with David Ridell calling it a ‘great performance of a taxing piece’ and Preben Noergaard Christensen adding, ‘Super direction — I’m proud to have heard this distinguished performance.’
Happy man
The result also saw David Childs continue his remarkable 100% conducting record — with his third contesting appearance in just over a decade, resulting in a third win.
No wonder then that he was a happy man when talking to 4BR on his return to the UK.
“I’m really pleased for such a young band. They took to the stage with five new principal players all aged 21 or under and delivered everything I could have asked of them.
Their commitment has been superb — putting in so much hard work with my father the weekend before the contest to make my job so much easier when I arrived!”
Pleasure
He added: “The band performed so well on two demanding works and up against excellent performances from their rivals.
It’s been a real pleasure working with them — and hopefully we can do something together again in the future. It was also great to be able to share the victory with my family who made a special trip out to Denmark to support me. “
Lower sections:
The progressive contesting approach saw open adjudication in each of the lower sections, with Nordvestjysk Brass Band led by Leyland Band conductor Huw Thomas, producing two fine performances of the set work, ‘The Saga of Tyrfing’ by Jacob Vilhelm Larsen and their own choice selection of ‘The Plantagenets’ to take the First Section title ahead of Skanderborg Brass Band and Dania Brass Band.
In the Second Section, it was Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band directed in commanding fashion by Henrik Næser, who produced a brace of high quality performances on the set work, ‘Olympus’ and their own choice selection of ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’ to take the title ahead of Frederiksberg Brass Band and Danfoss Orkestret.
The Third Section saw Hinnerup Gardens Brass Band directed by Anne Mette Hansen produced two well worked performances of the set work, ‘Anglian Dances’ and their own choice selection of ‘Music for a Festival’ by Philip Sparke to repel the challenge of FDF Gladsaxe Brass Band and Brovst Pigegarde.
Encouraging signs
The quality of the performances from the bands in each of the sections was highly encouraging according to the respected rhetorician Mette Hojen, who was assisting with the presentation of the event.
“The potential of the young bands in the lower sections was very encouraging,” Mette told 4BR. “And the support shown by the audience was also good to see. There is a solid layer of growth now appearing, with the quality of playing improving year on year.”
She added: “It was also good to see that each section took place in the same concert hall — bringing together a feeling of support to all the competing bands. Danish brass banding has a great deal going for it at the moment led by the very best bands who are inspiring young players.”
The result also saw David Childs continue his remarkable 100% conducting record — with his third contesting appearance resulting in a third win4BR
Result:
Elite Section:
Test piece: Arabian Nights — Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Brass Band (Stephen Roberts)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts, Anne Crookston , David Riddell, Frode Rydland, Preben Nørgaard Christensen
1. Lyngby-Taarbæk Brass Band (David Childs): 94/96:94/96:94/94 = 94.7
2. Concord Brass Band (Russell Gray): 92/91:92/93:92/92 = 92.0
3. Silkeborg Blæserne (Gert Skovlod Hattesen): 90/92:91/92:90/91 = 91.0
4. FDF Christianshavn Brass Band (N/K): 88/89:88/89:88/89: = 88.5
5. Arhus Brass Band (N/K): 87/88:87/88:87/88: = 87.5
First Section:
1. Nordvestjysk Brass Band (Huw Thomas) — 90.3
2. Skanderborg Brass Band (N/K) — 88.5
3. Dania Brass Band (N/K)- 87.5
Second Section:
1. Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band (Henrik Næser) — 91.0
2. Frederiksberg Brass Band (N/K) — 88.3
3. Danfoss Orkestret (N/K) — 86.7
4. Hjørring Brass Band (N/K) — 86.0
5. FDF Århus Musikkreds (N/K) — 85.8
6. Sejs Blæserne (N/K) — 84.4
Third Section:
1. Hinnerup Gardens Brass Band (Anne Mette Hansen) — 88.4
2. FDF Gladsaxe Brass Band (N/K) — 87.7
3. Brovst Pigegarde (N/K) — 85.7
