*
banner

Switzerland prepares for Battle in Montreux

Music for Battle Creek leads the list of set-works to be used at the 2016 Swiss National Championships in Montreux in November.

Swiss National Championship
 

The test-pieces to be performed at the 2016 Swiss National Championships in Montreux on the weekend of the 26th/27th November have been announced.

Music for Battle Creek

After being used at the Senior Cup contest in May, Philip Sparke's fearsome 'Music for Battle Creek' will test the elite Swiss bands hoping to claim the National title as well as the qualification place for the 2017 European Championship in Ostend. They will also perform an own-choice work.

In the First Section, the contenders will have to capture the poetic, if rather bizarre story-telling of 'L'Effect Divers' — four tales of the unexpected by Belgian composer Stan Nieuwenhuis (from a escalating neighbourhood dispute and an amnesic car driver, to a loveless mafia boss and the last floral will intentions of a millionaire banker).

'L'Effect Divers' won the European Composers Competition in 2015, whilst another work that was also first heard at that event in Germany will be used in the Second Division, with '…As a Glow' by Ludovic Neurohr.

Personal inspiration

Its deeply personal inspiration comes from a theme written by Italian baroque composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi that reflects the suffering of the composer's grandfather who was entering the final stages of his long, painful battle against the ravages of cancer.

The 'glow' is the life force that still burns bright in his eyes despite the obvious pain he feels from his illness.

Graces of Love

Elegance and style will be to the fore in the Third Division with Olivier Waespi's wonderfully constructed homage to the renaissance court life of 17th century Milan and its famous dance master Cesare Negri — 'The Graces of Love'. It was used as the set-work at the 2015 Third Section National Finals in Cheltenham.

Wu Xing

Another composition that has been extensively used throughout Europe will test the Fourth Division contenders. Philip Sparke's 'Evolution — Five Stages of Change', is inspired by the Chinese philosophy of Wu Xing which relates to meditation, sorrow, fear, anger and joy.

It was last used in the UK in 2015 as the Third Section regional set-work.

Philip Sparke's fearsome 'Music for Battle Creek' will test the elite Swiss bands hoping to claim the National title as well as the qualification place for the 2017 European Championship in Ostend4BR

Set-works:

Elite Division: Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke)
First Division: L'Effect Divers (Stan Nieuwenhuis)
Second Division: …As a Glow (Ludovic Neurohr)
Third Division: Graces of Love (Oliver Waespi)
Fourth Division: Evolution — Five States of Change (Philip Sparke)

For more information go to:

http://www.sbbv.ch/de/teststucke.php

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Rooms for groups

Hotel bookings ready to be sorted for Cheltenham and London

March 16 • Another raft of regional winners and qualifiers can get in touch with the hotel accommodation specialists rooms4groups this morning to sort out a welcome headache...


wELSH aREA

Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Tredegar leads the way as Welsh Champion with section wins for Parc & Dare, Deiniolen Silver, City of Wrexham and Holywell in Swansea


Stevenage

Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • East London Brass claims the Championship honours in Stevenage with Kidlington Concert Brass, Jersey Premier, Betteshanger and Cobham taking the section titles.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Saturday 22 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Regent Hall Concerts - Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army

Saturday 22 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Sunday 23 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Chinnor Silver

March 17 • What a day, 2nd place in our regional contest, qualification for the National Finals and promotion to the 1st Section. However we need basses( Bb or Eb) and percussionists to join us on our exciting journey. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings in Chinnor.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Musical Director required. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire. . . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm until 10pm. . . Resident or professional sought depending on experience.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Bass trombone and Bb Bass required.. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire.. . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm to 10pm at the Enderby Village Institute.


Jonathan Pippen


Conductor, Adjudicator, Trombone Soloist & Clinician


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd