Paris Brass Band once again reasserted it's imposing credentials as one of Europe's leading contesting ensembles after delivering a brace of superb performances to win the French National title for a fifth consecutive year.

Under the baton of MD, Florent Didier, their renditions of the set-work 'Of Distant Memories' and brand new commission, 'Hypercube' from Swiss composer Oliver Waespi, gained rich praise from the judges as well as sending an imposing message of intent to rivals as they now look forward to returning to Lille for the European Championship at the end of April.

Worthy champion

Despite a determined challenge from Brass Band du Nord-Pas-de-Calais which gained a level of fevered local support that almost lifted the roof off the Auditorium du Nouveau Siecle, there was little doubt that the Parisians were once again the most worthy of champions.

Former champion, Aeolus was third in a contest that showcased the growing affection as well as confidence of the banding movement in the country. Victory also secured Paris their place at the 2017 European Championship in Ostend, although it was the more immediate return to Lille that occupied the conductor's thoughts as he celebrated with his band.

Fantastic

"It is fantastic,"Florent Didier told 4BR. "To become the first French band to win the National Championship five years in a row is a great achievement, and I must thank my players. We want to grow together as a brass band and to develop something that will last for future generations, so victory here was very important to us.

We will celebrate of course, but then we will look towards the huge challenge of the European Championship."

One band that they will meet again in Lille is Cory, as the UK National Champion took the opportunity to entertain a packed audience at the Saturday evening Gala Concert.

With demands for a trio of encores before they were allowed to leave the stage, little wonder MD, Philip Harper will also be looking forward to a return to the impressive auditorium.

Impression

For the adjudication team of Garry Cutt, Bertrand Moren and Gildas Harnois there was much to enjoy in all five sections of competition — although it was the playing of Paris in claiming a historic fifth Honnuer title that certainly made the deepest impression.

"They gave an outstanding performance of the set-work, 'Of Distant Memories',"Garry told 4BR. "It was so cultured, shaped and balanced that it was a clear margin ahead, although the band was pushed close in the afternoon on their own-choice."

That was an opinion echoed by Bertrand, who added: "There were three very good own-choice performances — although Paris was still ahead. It was much closer than the morning, where they were clearly ahead. We enjoyed all three performances on very difficult test pieces."

Hypercube

Paris had decided to give the contest premiere of Oliver Waespi's 'Hypercube' — a specially commissioned work inspired by the famous La Grande Arche de la Defense in the city — or more accurately, the space that is enclosed within its architectural design.

"It was a wonderful performance,"Oliver told 4BR. "Hypercube' is the latest work of mine to be inspired by urban architecture, the connection the building has with Paris and the area from which the band is based.

It was a huge pleasure to work with the band. Their musical outlook is so refreshing and the MD and players are such impressive musicians."

Defense form

Paris certainly had to be on impressive form in 'defense' of their title, with a determined Brass Band du Nord-Pas-de-Calais pushing them close under Luc Vertommen, with the re-emerging Aeolus not too far behind.

However, the sumptuous musical quality displayed on the set-work provided a secure foundation on which Paris could build an almost impregnable position to repel rivals — despite a bravura 'Metropolis 1927' from Calais that brought the audience to its feet, and impressive account of 'The Divine Right' from Aeolus.

Excellence Division:

There was also a successful title defence in the Excellence Division, as Brass Band du conservatoire de Douai claimed a hat-trick of victories under the baton of MD, Olivier Degardin.

Highly accomplished renditions of the set-work, 'Brass Triumphant' and their own-choice of 'Abaddon -The Dark Angel' gave them a commanding three-point margin over rivals Brassage Brass Band, with Brass Band de Toulouse a point further back in third.

The hat-trick brought with it the opportunity for promotion to the Honneur Division, as Douai showcased their ensemble and solo strength with impressive clarity and balance, whilst the podium finishers also displayed their growing ability with bold set-work accounts and colourful own-choice selections of 'Music of the Spheres' and 'Excalibur — Sword of Justice' respectively.

First Division:

Saturday saw bands competing in the First, Second and Third Divisions, with Brass Band Atout Vent, Brass Band de la Cote Picarde and Brass Band du Hainaut claiming National titles.

A brace of well constructed performances of the set-work, 'The Kingdom of Dragons' and their own-choice of 'A Pastorale Symphony' gave Brass Band Atout Vent victory in the First Division under William Houssoy.

It was a first national title since 2006, but follows on from the growing success they have enjoyed at events such as the Flemish and French Open Championships and the scaba Open contest last year.

Brass Band de Champagne had to keep any local celebratory bubbly on hold as they came runner-up for a second successive year, with the emerging talents of Orchestre de Cuivres d'Amiens in third.

Second Division:

It was a close battle in the Second Division as Brass Band de la Cote Picarde claimed a narrow single-point victory over the Brass Band du CRR de Toulouse.

Both bands produced enthusiastic performances of 'Arkansas' and 'Hollywood!' to give the judges substance to compare and contrast, with the more mature ensemble sound of Picarde under Philippe Lottin just holding sway over the talented youngsters of Toulouse.

Third Division:

There was no doubting the destination of the Third Division title as Brass Band du Hainaut under Thibaut Bruniaux delivered a brace of highly impressive and contrasting performance of Eric Ball's bucolic 'A Devon Fantasy' and Peter Graham's vibrant 'Dimensions' to claim a deserved victory.

It was also contest that showed that the foundation level of French brass banding is growing in quality, as runner-up Ch'ti Brass and third placed Musicalis Algrange also produced performances rich in merit.

High hopes

With the CMF organisers running a very efficient event, the Auditorium du Nouveau Siecle providing a wonderful, compact venue, and Lille itself being a welcoming and interesting city to visit, there should be plenty to enjoy as the European banding community comes here in just a few months time — with high hopes for French Euro success led by the imposing musicality of a triumphant Paris Brass Band.

As it happened

For further interviews, images and to re-live the action from Lille go to:

http://www.4barsrest.com/live/2016FrenchNationals/#.Vp4nKfmLS_4

To become the first French band to win the National Championship five years in a row is a great achievement, and I must thank my playersParis Brass Band MD, Florent Didier

Results:
2016 French National Championship:
Auditorium du Nouveau Siecle
Lille

Adjudicators: Garry Cutt (President); Bertrand Moren; Gildas Harnois

Honneur Division:

1. Paris Brass Band: (Florent Didier) — 96
2. Brass Band du Nord-Pas-de-Calais: (Luc Vertommen) — 95
3. Aeolus Brass Band: (Benoit Fourreau) — 93

Excellence Division:

1. Brass Band du Conservatoire de Douai: (Olivier Degardin) — 88
2. Brassage Brass Band: (Mathias Charton) — 85
3. Brass Band de Toulouse: (Jean-Guy Olive) — 84
4. Brass Band des Hauts de Flandres: (Luigi Pacicco) — 81

First Division:

1. Brass Band Atout Vent: (William Houssoy) — 90
2. Brass Band de Champagne: (Manuel Haussy) — 88
3. Orchestre de Cuivres d'Amiens: (Eric Brisse) — 80

Second Division:

1. Brass Band de la Cote Picarde: (Philippe Lottin) — 83
2. Brass Band du CRR de Toulouse: (Jean-Guy Olive) — 82

Third Division:

1. Brass Band du Hainaut: (Thibaut Bruniaux) — 91
2. Ch'ti Brass: (Geoffrey Dubar) — 89
3. Musicalis Algrange: (Mathieu Reinert) — 86
4. Brass Band de Roncq: (Francis Billet) — 81