Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017 as Besson Swiss Open Champion, after the band, formed in 1967, claimed the title for the first time in its history at the Kultur-Und Kongesszentrum Hall in Luzern.

With the Swiss National Championship less than two months away, the contest provided an intriguing battle between a host of high-class contenders who will lock horns once again in Montreux.

Impressed

The 27th Championship saw 10 leading elite bands perform the set work, 'Harmony Music' by Philip Sparke plus an own-choice orchestral transcription to impress an international adjudication panel of Howard Lorriman, David Childs, Paul Holland, Carlo Balmelli and Laurent Tinguely.

And impressed they were too, as Paul Holland told 4BR. "It was an excellent contest,"he said.

"The whole contest weekend is so well organised from start to finish, the adjudication set-up is something which I feel works very well indeed, and the playing was of a very high quality — especially on 'Harmony Music' where there were four or five performances that would have graced any major contest."

He added: "Some of the own-choice arrangements did show flaws, but the ambition and sense of musicality from the top bands was outstanding."

Judging system

The adjudication system saw the five judges mark each performance separately and without conferring, in both disciplines out of 60 points. The top and bottom mark was taken away to leave three marks accounting for a maximum of 180. The totals from each section were added to together to give the final total.

Ultimately, it was Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan under their inspirational MD Francois Roh that claimed a maiden victory with a three-point margin over Brass Band Bugermusik Luzern, with hat-trick seeking defending champion Brass Band Treize Etoiles in third.

Luzern had earlier led the way under MD Michael Bach with a thrilling account of Sparke's classic composition, leaving Valaisan and Treize Etoiles under James Gourlay just behind, and with Swiss National champion Valaisia back in seventh place.

Riveting Valaisan

However, a riveting performance of Rachmaninov's 'Symphonic Dances' arranged by solo horn player and MD's brother Julien Roh, saw Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan surge to victory, despite fine performances from Luzern of 'Le Roi d'Ys' and the 'Finale' from 'Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 1' by Treize Etoiles.

Valaisia were unable to make up lost ground despite coming second in the own-choice discipline to eventually end fifth behind Brass Band Berner Oberland, with Brass Band Fribourg in sixth. Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan also took the special prize for best performance of the own choice, whilst the separate march prize was won by Valaisia.

Very happy

"We are all very happy,"the winning MD rather modestly said when 4BR spoke to him. "To win the contest for the very first time is something we are all very proud of — especially as it means we will now be Swiss Open Champion in our 50th year."

Francois Roh added: "The band played superbly and I must thank my brother Julien for his great arrangement of Rachmaninov's 'Symphonic Dances'. He is a very clever man!

We are now determined to try and win the Swiss National Championship title in Montreux to make our 50th year even more special."

The packed Gala Concert was performed by Black Dyke Band under the direction of Prof Nicholas Childs.

To win the contest for the very first time is something we are all very proud of — especially as it means we will now be Swiss Open Champion in our 50th yearMD, Francois Roh

Results:

Adjudicators:
Howard Lorriman, David Childs, Paul Holland, Carlo Balmelli, Laurent Tinguely
Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan (Francois Roh): 173/175 = 348
2. Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach): 174/171 = 345
3. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (James Gourlay): 172/168 = 340
4. Brass Band Berner Oberland (Corsin Tuor): 168/167 = 335
5. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc): 160/174 = 334
6. Brass Band Fribourg (Dr Robert Childs): 171/159 = 330
7. Wallberg Band (Garry Cutt): 164/154 = 318
8. Oberaargauer Brass Band (Gian Walker): 156/162 = 318
9. Brass Band Luzern Land (Herve Grelat): 153/158 = 311
10. Liberty Brass Band Ostschweiz (Andreas Koller): 155/155 = 310

Best March: Valaisia Brass Band
Best Own Choice Performance: Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan