There was a touch of Kafkaesque mystery about the First Section contest on Saturday in Torquay — as the majority of the sixteen competitors found difficulty in understanding the metamorphic musical challenges of James Curnow's test-piece.

How and why was a puzzle Gregor Samsa (the bed ridden protagonist in Franz Kafka's novel) would have sympathised with given the apparent readily transparent structure of the score: There seemed to be neither rhyme nor reason why so many were so bizarrely troubled.

Outstanding winner

That was backed up by the judges Dr Brett Baker and Stan Lipeatt, with only the eventual "outstanding"winner Bournemouth Concert Brass led by Howard Evans able to intuitively read between the lines in bringing a sense of poise and interpretative clarity to the variant interlinked motif chapters.

Joining them in Cheltenham was a "clear"Chalford, as MD Steve Tubb grasped the essential basic requirements of 'Brass Metamorphosis' to secure their first National Final appearance since 2012.

Some way behind came a delighted Forest of Dean Brass who snatched the final podium slot, whilst the remaining top-six places in what was a curiously disappointing contest went to Michelmersh Silver, SW Comms and City of Bristol Brass.

Clearly defined appraisals

In contrast to much that had been heard on stage both Brett and Stan gave clearly defined appraisals of the test-piece; Brett praising the efforts of the main and secondary soloists (back row cornets and second baritones) as well as just the one BBb tuba player from band number 15 (Michelmersh Silver) who delivered his little solo spot in the perfect legato manner.

However, behind the congratulatory bonhomie came the more pointed observations about the "lack of spirit and musicality"that was displayed as well as the need for players "to find the musical line in their phrasing".

Stan was also measured in his praise (describing the winners as "outstanding"and the second "clear") whilst highlighting his concerns over "the lack of vision"especially on the basics of articulation on what he described as "a lot of inaccurate playing". "All bands had something to offer,"he said, but "…the standard could have been higher".

When judges refer to reoccurring problems about tuning and balance at First Section level you know things were not too great.

Seemingly held promise

Their was an accurate precis of a contest that seemingly held promise but which only occasionally delivered on it when MDs concentrated on the getting the basics right from the start (and the opening few bars did cause considerable mayhem). Time and time again, a misplaced emphasis on pace and power only camouflaged the basic contest requirements of precision, balance and detail required from a testing, bitty score.

As Stan later reiterated, each band offered something, but only Bournemouth comprehensively built on the solid foundations imposed by Howard Evans to produce a performance that had the hallmarks of potential top-section quality about it. They really were a class apart from curiously misfiring rivals in the day.

Chalford delight

Chalford's delight was certainly well deserted given the MDs eminently sensible approach and the player's confident execution, whilst it must have been a difficult comparison task for Brett and Stan to separate the following four bands, as well as those who came outside the prizes.

So many performances were littered with unforced errors, nervousness, odd choices of tempo and dynamic balance that they must have been longing for a performance that made their job easy.

Finally, and thankfully, it came with Bournemouth Concert Brass who settled matters with a stamp of quality that was as unmistakable as it was understandable. Franz Kafka would have whole heartedly agreed.

That was backed up by the judges, with only the eventual "outstanding2 winner Bournemouth Concert Brass able to intuitively read between the lines in bringing a sense of poise and interpretative clarity to the variant interlinked motif chapters4BR

Result:

First Section:

Test Piece: Brass Metamorphosis (James Curnow)
Adjudicators: Brett Baker and Stan Lippeatt

1. Bournemouth Concert Brass (Howard Evans)*
2. Chalford (Steve Tubb)*
3. Forest of Dean Brass (Bryn James)
4. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
5. SW Comms (Chris Spreadbury)
6. City of Bristol Brass (Paul McLaughlin)
7. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck)
8. Roche Brass (David Hamilton)
9. Glastonbury Brass (Simon Jones)
10. Sherborne Town (Ian Lowes)
11. Otterbourne Brass (Melvin White)
12. Bodmin Town (John Maines)
13. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
14. Andover Town (Steve Large)
15. Wotton-under-Edge & District (Ian Dickinson)
16. St Keverne (Gareth Churcher)

*Qualify for National Final