Freedom is hard won and easily lost.

And at a time when the defence of which is being bravely fought for in various parts of the world, it was rather appropriate that a 100-year-old brass band score held metaphorical pertinence amid the crepuscular surroundings of the Pavilion Theatre at the Winter Gardens.

The lightening may have been less than radiant, but this particular 'Freedom' was still a glowing test of contest character that demanded informed accomplishment in order to overcome the potential perils of loss resulting from under-preparation and misinformed appreciation.

Adjudicator Garry Cutt (who was joined by Steve Sykes) was in no doubt about that when giving his pre-results address.

A conductor who has made his name inspiring critically acclaimed performances of what he called "yellow music", said that he felt that 'Freedom' gave "tremendous opportunities for conductors and soloists".

Interpretative meaning

However, accordingly it also meant that the MD, "had to choose the right tempo and get the basics right" to make the most of what the score so liberally offered in interpretative meaning.

He highlighted his point with an affection nod to the late, great James Scott (who won on it at the 1973 National Championships) by saying it was almost the perfect reflection of him as a man and musician — "stylish and elegant".

The results from the duo bore out their own appreciations with admirable consistency.

Bradford victory

Victory was claimed City of Bradford conducted by Jonathan Bates, with a respectful, modernist interpretation that was vibrantly bravura, but also played with ensemble warmth, elegance and tasteful rubato nuance.

It was certainly a little different; the MD giving the opening movement a fresh zip whilst still retaining the required sense of majestic bombast thanks to the neatly chosen tempo.

The 'Interlude' that followed was led by a wonderful 'Best Soloist' prize winner in principal Alan Hobbins, whilst the 'Scherzo' bubbled with energetic joyfulness before coming to close with animated brilliance.

It was as 4BR said, "..like pimping up an old Rolls Royce Silver Ghost with alloy wheels and go faster stripes."

Indeed it was, but it was still unmistakably a 'Roller' beneath the snappy paintwork; smoothly geared and luxuriant, spacious, romantic and tastefully blingy — the MD navigating the twists and turns through subtle taps on the breaks and accelerator pedal.

They were outstanding winners.

Skelmanthorpe challenge

It was enough to repel the challenge from theIR equally impressive Yorkshire rivals Skelmanthorpe, who earlier provided Garry and Steve with the potential 'title' marker that was to require considerable overall quality to overcome.

Martin Heartfield fully understood the interpretative meaning of 'molto moderato e un poco maestoso' on which to pace the opening movement. He also enticed the 'sweet' expression that underpinned the central 'Interlude' and the composer's desire to inspire the 'Scherzo' with the 'insuperable gift of laughter, fresh and light.'

Promotion to the Grand Shield was deserved reward.

Qualifiers

The initial qualification marker came off the number 1 draw, with a purposeful account from Ashton-under-Lyne led by the experienced Martyn Evans.

It was also the type of energised but not frenetic opening that caught the judge's ear, followed by a tender 'Interlude' (with one of the best endings of the day) leading into an upbeat 'Scherzo'.

Thankfully, the judges didn't forget it as 19 rivals came and went.

Dalmellington secured the final qualification place with a performance that for some of their more 'experienced' supporters brought back memories of their fourth place finish at the 1973 National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall.

Principal cornet that day was the great Archie Hutchison, and he was there 50 years later to enjoy a wonderfully lyrical account aided by classy solo lines under MD Gary Williams that deservedly saw them take a significant step closer to Symphony Hall.

Informed approaches

Behind the qualifiers came two accounts that almost, but not quite did enough to convince the judges of their promotion credentials, thanks to informed approaches of MDs, Alan Duguid with Aveley & Newham and Howard Evans with Jaguar Land Rover.

Little inconsistencies in execution in both just chipped at the polished veneer instilled in their appreciation of the score.

After that the judges would have had a difficult time separating a block of contenders, with the remaining top-10 providing performances of note but with noticeable errors counts and some stylistic decisions that either raised a smile or an eyebrow or two in the box.

Acceler8 Band and Verwood Concert Brass may have just forced their way into the top six on another day, whilst Newtongrange and City of Cardiff (M1) benefited from the musical understanding of their MDs, but were undermined by occasional nerves, individual clips and moments of ensemble uncertainty.

Authentic

David Hirst meanwhile produced perhaps the most 'authentic' reading of the score with Roche Brass, with malleable rubatos and hairpin dynamics that recalled the halcyon days of Crystal Palace performances.

Behind them Shepherd Group, Derwent (with a rendition almost the polar opposite in terms of inspiration to Roche), Kingdom Brass, Elland Silver (who caught the ear of many, 4BR included, but not in the box) and Kirkintilloch all did enough to retain their Senior Cup status for another year.

Not so Blackburn & Darwen, Thoresby Colliery, Vernon Building Society (although it was great to see them back on a contest stage after all their troubles) and Filton Concert Brass who dropped through the relegation trap door to the Senior Trophy.

Iwan Fox

it was still unmistakably a 'Roller' beneath the snappy paintwork; smoothly geared and luxuriant, spacious, romantic and tastefully blingy — the MD navigating the twists and turns through subtle taps on the breaks and accelerator pedal4BR

Senior Cup:

Test Piece: Freedom (Hubert Bath)
Adjudicators: Prof Garry Cutt & Steve Sykes

1. City of Bradford (Jonathan Bates)*
2. Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield)*
3. Ashton-under-Lyne (Martyn Evans)*
4. Dalmellington (Gary J Williams)*
5. Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid)
6. Jaguar Land Rover (Howard Evans)
7. Acceler8 Band (Jef Sparkes)
8. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
9. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston)
10. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Christopher Bond)
11. Roche Brass (David Hirst)
12. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton)
13. Derwent Brass (Jack Captstaff)
14. Kingdom Brass (Ian Porthouse)
15. Elland Silver (Daniel Brooks)
16. Kirkintilloch (Steven Mead)
17. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)**
18. Thoresby Colliery (Michael Howley)**
19. Vernon Building Society Poynton**
20. Filton Concert Brass (Erik Van de Kolk)**

Best Instrumentalist: Alan Hibbins (solo cornet) — City of Bradford

*Qualify for British Open
** Relegated to Senior Trophy