Bjorsvik Brass will be hitting the dance floor this weekend at the Siddis Entertainment contest in Stavanger.

Led for the first time by the renowned Norwegian conductor Bjarte Engeset (above), the band, which is made up of many former players from Eikanger Bjorsvik, will present a programme entitled, 'Danzon d'amour'.

Lips not hips

However, with some of the players not quite in the Shakira/John Travolta shape of their youth, the programme will consist of four dances of very different genres and styles that make demands on their lips and not their hips....

Star euphonium player Tormod Flaten told 4BR: "We are all looking forward to enjoying ourselves and dusting off the best dance moves from our younger days — even if we move a little more slowly than in years gone by."

Meanwhile, soprano player Frode Rydland added: "It's always great to work with such a brilliant conductor as Bjarte, and I'm sure he will inspire us all on a great programme of music."

Dance quartet

'Danzon d'amour' will consist of a quartet of four different pieces — starting with an arrangement of Anton Dvorak's, 'Slavonic Dance No 15', inspired by a Serbian Kolo dance, which features virtuoso leg work but with very little movement above in the upper body.

There will also be a little beautiful Schubert, a euphonium led trip to the Austrian Bierstube favourite 'Bariton Lechner' and a Cuban inspired finale in what promises to be a set of innovation and inspiration, as the MD Bjarte Engeset told 4BR.

"Since I started conducting, I have seen, with joy, the quest to bring original, captivating music to performances that embody a strong awareness of style,"he said.

"Such performances can energise and renew the communicative force in each work between the performer and the audience.

So even though all four pieces we present in Stavanger could be labelled as dances, I think it challenge us to find four very different and very particular styles — from Schubert and Dvorak to the Oberkrainer Music of 'Bariton Lechner', which I have to say is new to me, but great fun."

However, with some of the players not quite in the Shakira/John Travolta shape of their youth, the programme will consist of four dances of very different genres and styles that make demands on their lips and not their hips...4BR

Relishing

He added: "The 'Danzon No. 2' by the Mexican composer Arturo Marquez to finish is a wonderful challenge, but one the players are relishing.

I hope everyone enjoys themselves and is inspired to dance a little with our programme — even if it is in their seats in the hall to start with!"