There was no illusion to the reality behind Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag regaining the Siddis Brass title. This was a very understandable kind of musical sorcery under Reid Gilje's direction.

Despite employing a rather underwhelming magician as part of their 'Magic!' themed set, it simply didn't detract from the crystal clear brilliance of their playing, both to spellbound music adjudicators Joseph Parisi and Rieks van der Velde as well as the audience in a packed Stavanger Konserthus Hall.

They awarded Eikanger 99 points out of 100, whilst entertainment judge Kjell Inge Torgersen awarded a maximum score of 10 (which he also gave to both Manger and Stavanger).

Only perfection could have beaten them — and not even some spellbinding performances from their rivals could do that, however well they tried.

And to be fair, try they did — splendidly and diversely so in fact.

Five Greats

Krohnengen eventually came runner-up with a 'Five Greats' composer theme literally 'Cutt' from the musical DNA of their conductor.

Works from Berlioz, Anne Grethe Preus, Rossini, Bach and Aagaard-Nilsen saw Garry Cutt use all his experience to lead the First Division Norwegian National Champion band to their best ever result.

'Le Corsaire' and 'La Danza' were light and vibrant, the beautifully played cornet solo 'Icicles' (featuring Henning Anundsen) and 'Arioso' glowed with tenderness, whilst the finale took an inventive fractured detour to the trolls of Grieg.

It was a clever mix of the traditional and contemporary — played with authority and led with a touch of Marple magic of its own.

Conspiracy

Behind them came defending champion Manger Musikklag, with Martin Winter leading a witty exploration (the majority his own compositions and arrangements) of the conspiracy theories that still surround the 1969 Moon Landings.

The playing had huge truthful substance to it though — aided by the outstanding 'Best Soloist' contribution of principal cornet William Grov Skramsett on the coolest jazz inflected take on 'Claire de Lune'.

However, despite it certainly catching the fancy of many in the audience, it didn't quite resonate with the men charged with displaying only the substantive facts of their opinion.

Magic Eikanger

And those facts were bolstered by the superlatives they reserved for Eikanger who preceded them on stage.

"This is real magic!" wrote Rieks van der Velde in his remarks. "What an overwhelming and excellent performance."

Joseph Parisi was equally impressed. "Kudos to all of you, MD, composer, etc for making the experience very powerful and enjoyable. Well played with exceptional musical innuendo, nuance and power. It was a pleasure hearing you today."

A little later they told 4BR that Eikanger had "shown everything that they could do — and do brilliantly. The playing gave us everything we were looking for."

Suspend belief

With original music composed by Reid Gilje, Frode Rydland, Kjetil Djonne and Fredrick Schjelderup, as well as a clever arrangement by Sebastian L. Torjusen, the 'Magic' theme asked the audience to suspend belief for 24 minutes — mimicking Picasso's assertion that "Art is a lie that makes us realise the truth".

The addition of the stage magician (using the old handkerchief, rope and 'pick a card' routines) was therefore a clever way to embrace a wide variety of stylistic genres using a focal point that for all intended purposes became an illusory stooge.

It was such a clever interpretation of the construct of a trick: the pledge, the turn and the all important prestige.

All the real magic was in the music — from Benny Goodman swing and Las Vegas big band brilliance, to a pastiche Disney ballad and a filmatic finale of escalating exciting drama — each delivered with authentic stylistic understanding and breathtaking collective virtuosity.

Prestidigitation

And whilst there were some questions to be asked about whether or not the concept worked as a whole (the tricks weren't exactly the stuff of David Copperfield, more Ali Bongo) the musical end result certainly did.

It was Eikanger's third victory in the last four years (their 18th in total) — and their 10th together under Reid Gilje's direction.

He may well be one of the most unassuming conducting prestidigitators in the world, but there really is magic in his hands at this event.

The band now holds both the Norwegian National and Siddis titles — extending a record of domestic supremacy that has seen them beaten just once on home soil since 2016.

Now, as the members of the management team confirmed to 4BR late on Saturday night, their sights will be on a fifth National success in Bergen in February before they head to Palanga and the Europeans and then a potential appearance at the Brass in Concert Championships.

On this form they are a band that could pull a rabbit out of a hat to win any or all of these.

Rivals

Rivals will already be planning to end their hegemony at the Grieghallen, but their thoughts will then turn to this event next year.

With a delighted Krohnengen surpassing expectations, Manger and Stavanger were left to wonder what more they can do to work out the way break Eikanger's spell over them.

It is a bit like catching smoke in a butterfly net though — the band seemingly just one step ahead at present in their thought processes and delivery.

Manger may rue the fact that as brilliantly inventive as their Moon Landing conspiracy theory concept was, most people have already made their mind up about that old chestnut. Nowadays, 'fake news' is all around us — just ask Donald Trump.

Nothing illusory

Meanwhile, Allan Withington's latest programme with Stavanger was a genuinely relevant story of our times — but perhaps too relevant and uncomfortable for some to be 'entertained' by.

There was nothing illusory about a tale of a 17 year old Syrian refugee seeking a new life far from home.

His brave, pioneering musical outlook leaves a deeply affecting impression on the mind — one that acts as an important counterbalance to the insubstantial thematic confections that far too many bands across the world use as a default mode.

Bright invention

That said, there was evidence here of inventive musical thought processes at work with the other competitors.

Fifth placed Jaren Hornmussikforening delivered a cracking 'Quincy Jones' set that deserved to be enjoyed by more people (the hall rather sadly suffered a mass disappearance act of its own after Eikanger performed), whilst Bjorsvik Brass played with the type of musical maturity that comes with collective experience on their 'Something old, borrowed and blue' programme.

Elsewhere, Olso had a great time with the joys of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ movement, whilst Tertnes opted for a celebration of all things Americana with Kleppe fixing their gaze on the wonders of the universe.

None though were quite as wonderful or simply magical as Eikanger.

First Division:

Earlier, an engaging First Division battle was eventually won by the impressive Askoy Brass ahead of Hasle Brass and Musikkorpset Gjallahorn.

Utilising the clever arrangements of MD Svein Henrik Giske in their 'Songs from Memory Lane' set (from Burt Bacharach to Willy Nelson and Lennon and McCartney) — it gave them their first title success since 2012, after coming runner-up in the last two years.

Hasle secured their best result with a neatly portrayed set of musical contrasts under Robert Solberg Nilsen, with 2015 & 2016 winner Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn having to be content with third, despite a persuasive 'Moods' set led by Rune Hannisdal that featured an outstanding 'Best Soloist' contribution from horn player Kjetil Anundsen.

Elsewhere the impressive standard of playing was marked although much of the repertoire had a familiar sound to it even if utilising part (Rong Brass) or whole (Motebello Brass) of Eric Ball's 'Journey into Freedom' as a finisher was a first.

The remaining top-six places went to Rong Brass, Ila Brass and Montebello Brass.

Second Division:

The Second Division title was claimed by Radoy Brass, giving them their first win at the event since 1988.

Their 'Dreams' set under MD Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen saw them utilise music from such diverse sources as Janis Joplin to Carl Davies, and also include a wonderful 'Best Soloist' contribution on trumpet from former Manger principal cornet Anne Britt Hermansen Vetas playing 'Fatal la Parte'.

Haukas Brass had to be content with coming runner-up for the second year in a row with a programme that celebrated their 100th anniversary, whilst third place went to Oster Brass who neatly admitted to 'stealing' their repertoire from Benny Goodman to Philip Wilby.

The remaining top-six places went to Bergen Brass Band, Fjell Brass and Sagvag Musikklag.

Third Division:

There was a long overdue Siddis victory for the partnership Gjesdal Brass Band and MD Jonas Skartveit Rogne to enjoy together in the Third Division.

They have been coming to the contest since 2001, but until now victory had eluded them. Understandably then the celebrations went on long into the night at the Brass Party at the Clarion Hotel.

Their eclectic set, which included works by Torstein Aargaard-Nilsen and Eric Whitacre amongst others finally caught the ears of the judges, as did 'Best Soloist' award winner, Arne Stian Aarrestad with wonderful rendition of Wolfgang Sorger's 'Baritone Polka'.

It gave the band a clear two-point margin from Seim Musikklag's up-tempo set that featured works by the likes of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to Duke Ellington, whilst third placed Stangaland Brass opted for Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Peter Graham in their neatly packaged set.

The remaining top-six places went to Laksevag Musikkforening, Lindas Brass and Lyshornet Brass.

Fourth Division:

There was also a clear cut victory for IMI Brass in the Fourth Division under Halvor Gaard, as their excellent 'Dreams of Nature and Love' saw them claim their first Siddis title since 2011.

Two movements from 'Hymn of the Highlands' were balanced by the evocative 'A Time for Us' and the Toto pop group classic 'Pamela' as the current Norwegian 5th Division National Champion added the premier entertainment accolade to their 2019 list of honours.

Second place went to Sotra Brass, their best result at the contest since 2015, with Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble in third. Norheimsund Musikklag's tenor horn player Torunn Asebo took the 'Best Soloist' award for her impressive rendition of 'Demelza'.

The remaining top-six places went to Tasta Brass, Norheimsund Musikklag and Riska Brass Band.

Leading event

With 54 competitors based in and around the outstanding facilities on offer, little wonder the Siddis organisers spoke of their delight in showcasing the best of Norwegian brass band entertainment has to offer to the world (the event was also live-streamed).

The visitors from other parts of Europe, including representatives from Brass Bands England will certainly have left as impressed by the superb organisation of the event as they were with the magical playing of the eventual newly crowned Elite Division champion.

Iwan Fox

It was Eikanger's third victory in the last four years — and their 10th together under Reid Gilje's direction. He may well be one of the most unassuming conducting prestidigitators in the world, but there really is banding magic in his hands4BR

Results:

Elite Division:

Adjudicators: Joseph Parisi, Rieks van der Velde, Kjell Inge Torgersen

1. Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje): 10 + 99 = 109
2. Krohnengen Brass Band (Garry Cutt): 9 + 96 = 105
3. Manger Musikklag (Martin Philip Winter): 10 + 94 = 104
4. Stavanger Brass Band (Allan Withington): 10 + 93 = 103
5. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Lars Erik Gudim): 7 + 95 = 102
6. Bjorsvik Brass (Frode Amundsen): 7 + 91 = 98
7. Oslo Brass Band (Kai Grinde Myrann): 7 + 90 = 97
8. Tertnes Brass (Sindre Dalhaug): 6 + 88 = 94
9. Kleppe Musikklag (Trond Helland): 6 + 87 = 93

Best Soloist: William Grov Skramsett (cornet) — Manger Musikklag
Entertainment Prize: Manger Musikklag

First Division:

Adjudicators: Morten Fagerjord & Stan Nieuwenhuis

1. Askoy Brass Band (Svein Henrik Giske): 9 + 94 = 103
2. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen): 7 + 95 = 102
3. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Rune Hannisdal): 8 + 93 = 101
4. Rong Brass (David Morton): 8 + 91 = 99
5. Ila Brass Band (Bjorn Breistein): 7 + 90 = 97
6. Montebello Brass (Prof Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling): 8 + 86 = 94
7. Oslofjord Brass (John Philip Hannevik): 5 + 85 = 90
8. Flesland Musikklag (Arvid Anthun): 8 + 82 = 90
9. Sola Brass Band (Gwyn Evans): 7 + 80 = 87

Best Soloist: Kjetil Anundsen (horn) — Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Les Neish & Anne Crookston

1. Radoy Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen): 8 + 94 = 102
2. Haukas Musikklag (Egil Magnussen): 9 + 92 = 101
3. Oster Brass (David Morton): 7 + 91 = 98
4. Bergen Brass Band (Thor-Arne Pedersen): 7 + 89 = 96
5. Fjell Brass (Joseph W. Cook): 6 + 88 = 94
6. Sagvag Musikklag (Christopher King): 7 + 87 = 94
7. Skui Brassband (Tormod Flaten): 6 + 86 = 92
8. KOS Krohnengen Old Stars (Rune Hannisdal): 6 + 85 = 91
9. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 6 + 82 = 88
10. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E. Hansen): 6 + 83 = 87*
11. Agder Brass (Thomas Swatland): 5 + 81 = 86
12. Folleso Musikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt): 6 + 80 = 86
13. Sorum Musikklag (Sebastian Haukas): 5 + 80 = 85

* 2 point time penalty

Third Division:

Adjudicators: Frank Brodahl & Selmer Simonsen

1. Gjesdal Brassband (Jonas Skartveit Rogne): 7 + 94 = 101
2. Seim Musikklag (Torstein T. Holmas): 6 + 93 = 99
3. Stangaland Brass (Paul Hughes): 6 + 92 = 98
4. Laksevag Musikkforening (Fredrick Schjelderup): 7 + 90 = 97
5. Lindas Brass (Vidar Nordli): 7 + 89 = 96
6. Lyshornet Brass (Christian Breistein): 6 + 88 = 94
7. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Ovrebekk): 6 + 87 = 93
8. Hetlevik Musikklag (Sturle Berntsen): 5 + 86 = 91
9. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 5 + 85 = 90
10= Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austnes-Underhaug): 5 + 84 = 89
10= Tysvaer Brass (Martin Kinn): 5 + 84 = 89

Best Soloist: Arne Stain Aarrestad (euphonium) — Gjesdal Brass Band

Fourth Division:

Adjudicators: Adam Cooke & Lee Rigg

1. IMI Brass (Halvor Gaard): 9 + 90 = 99
2. Sotra Brass (Ben Hirons): 8 + 88 = 96
3. Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars Bjornar Strengenes): 7 + 87 = 94
4. Tasta Brass (Morten Ovrebekk): 6 + 86 = 92
5. Norheimsund Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk): 6 + 85 = 91
6. Riska Brass Band (Espen Westbye): 6 + 84 = 90
7. Langhus Brass (Tomas Austestad): 7 + 82 = 89
8. Klovheim Brass (Oddvar Nostdal): 5 + 81 = 86
9. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Linas Dakinevicius): 6 + 79 = 85
10. Fitjar Musikklag (Svein Roger Koppang): 5 + 79 = 84
11. Jorpeland Musikkorps (Paul Farr): 6 + 78 = 84
12. Karmsund Brass (Steinar Andsnes): 6 + 77 = 83

Best Soloist: Torunn Asebo (horn) — Norheimsund Musikklag