Brass Band Willebroek led by Frans Violet successfully defended its WMC World Championship title in Kerkrade.
Although the Belgian band did not top either the set-work or own choice programme disciplines over the two days of competition, performances of high-quality discipline and musicality saw them take the honours ahead of Swiss champion Valaisia with Black Dyke in third.
With the withdrawal of fellow Belgian contender Festival Brass Band and Immortal Brass Eternally from Japan due to Covid-19 and air travel problems, just six bands competed for the 4,000 euro first prize and the right to hoist the WMC Concert Division Champions flag in triumph.
Brass Band Schoonhoven was fourth, after the Dutch band led after the first day thanks to an expertly tempered rendition of the set-work 'Contest Music', whilst French champion Hauts-de-France was fifth ahead of American visitors James Madison University.
Heaton teeth
Wilfred Heaton's masterful composition once again bared its teeth on the Friday evening as the six contenders set out their test-piece credentials ahead of their 40 minute own-choice programmes on Saturday afternoon.
It was Schoonhoven that provided judges Dr Robert Childs, Jan van der Roost and Florent Didier with the lead marker, as MD Paul Holland elicited a dynamically controlled, sympathetically informed interpretation that brought the score's inherent transparency to bear.
Aided by excellent individual contributions led by principal cornet Denis Vork, the intricate ensemble detail of the score was clearly delineated without artifice in the cavernous expanse of the Roda Hall.
Little wonder in his post-performance interview Paul Holland said that "everything went to plan". He wasn't wrong.
Austerity
Earlier, a few too many little smudges in the first movement cost Black Dyke the complete technical security required to set an unbeatable marker off the number 1 draw, as they ended the day in second, whilst Brass Band Willebroek's richly mixed ensemble tonality was occasionally at odds with the stark austerity of Heaton's writing in third.
Prof Nicholas Childs told the live broadcast viewers at home that 'Contest Music', "was a proper test-piece"- still as hard "no matter how many times you play it", whilst Willebroek's principal cornet Lode Violet said that every player knew that "every bar should be perfect".
Muscular
Behind them there was much to discuss as Swiss Champion Valaisia's muscular dynamism led to some individual brittleness that scarred their exciting approach, whilst both Haut-de-France and James Madison University couldn't quite match execution to intention.
There was plenty to play for then as the sextet prepared to deliver their 40 minute own-choice sets to an enthusiastic audience and the 'open' adjudication panel of Russell Gray, Jan de Haan and Hannes Buchegger.
Tables turned
Here the tables were turned as Valaisia produced a stunning display of virtuosity under Arsene Duc.
The choregraphed antiphonal opening of Damien Lagger's 'Euroflash' led into a sumptuous performance from Glenn Van Looy of Wim Bex's 'Eagle's Flight'. It deservedly give the imperious star the 'Outstanding Soloist' award on a day when all six bands featured their euphonium players.
The driving precision of Kenneth Hesketh's 'Masque' contrasted the cool sophistication of Pat Metheny's 'Letter from Home', before they closed with a brilliant reprise of Bert Appermont's 'A Gabrieli Fantasy' which they had used at the Swiss and European Championships.
All MD, Arsene Duc could say in summing up his feelings in his post-performance interview was that he was "very proud and very happy", especially with the Gabrieli which was in his opinion, "extraordinary in what the composer wants".
Meanwhile, Glenn Van Looy spoke of his delight, not only of his solo performance on a piece that was arranged from the original for the event, but also of the band. "We are a group of friends. It's a joy to be part of."
Deep Willebroek well
Overall though it wasn't enough to make up the ground to snatch victory from their Belgian rivals.
Frans Violet drew deep into Willebroek's well of musical inspiration to provide a balanced set in coming runner-up that also offered an intriguing opening comparison in Damien Lagger's 'Euroflash'.
The hauntingly melancholic sounds of Ben Holling's 'Memories of a Lost Boy' balanced the playful contrasts of Kevin van Giel's accomplished euphonium solo 'Pulcinella', before they closed with Oliver Waespi's coruscating 'Other Lives' that bubbled with dark menace and 'Sliding Doors' intrigue.
It was the vital element in securing overall victory — a knack they have displayed going back to their first European title success in 1993 under their peerless MD that few can match.
Interviewed after their performance, their soloist said that he felt overall it was "really good", despite the somewhat "far away acoustic" in the hall, whilst Lode Violet said that as a young band "we want to do more" although he thought his father "was happy."
Both he and they deserved to be. Much later they were even happier.
Curious segue
Black Dyke's hopes of becoming World Champion for the first time since 1970 ended in disappointment, as their high-powered approach failed to capture the imagination of the judges as much as it did with listeners in the hall.
The amuse-bouche 'A Fantasy of Joy' from Fredrick Schjelderup and substantive main course 'Beethoven' work from Philip Wilby that followed (also based on the 9th Symphony 'Ode to Joy') seemed to offer a curious musical segue.
Both choreographed (the latter featuring no less than 14 cameo solo spotlights) — the opening item somewhat dulled the expectant palette for what was an absorbing 11 minute long interactive audio-visual 'guide' to the brass band, aimed you suspect, much like Benjamin Britten's celebrated 'Purcell' inspired orchestral tour, at a youthful audience.
An eye-popping piece of 'Bravura' euphonium playing by Daniel Thomas led into an excitable account of Peter Graham's 'Triumph of Time', but it wasn't to be enough to see the World Champion accolade head back to Queensbury.
Admire
Brass Band Schoonhoven couldn't quite repeat the excellence of their test-piece offering, although there was much to admire with the approach and execution of their set — from the opening 'A Brighter Light' by Philip Wilby and 'St Peter's Chorale' by Jonathan Bates, to the closing reprise of their European own-choice selection, 'Fraternity'.
Robbert Vos was the excellent focal point on two movements of Philip Sparke's 'Diamond Concerto'.
Meanwhile, Hauts-de-France also reprised their European own-choice of Pierre-Antoine Savoyet's ornate 'Sinfonietta No 2' to round off a set that embraced Heaton's 'Toccata' and a lovely cameo 'Love Story' specially realised by Howard Snell from his major 'Gallery' test-piece.
James Madison University also showcased their emerging top flight credentials under Kevin Stees, as they under-lined their considered set with a reprise of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'And from the Darkness' which was recently used at the North American Brass Band Championships.
World Championship winning joy once again then for Brass Band Willebroek, as they successfully defended their title and waved the WMC flag in triumph following an uplifting results ceremony that featured the spectacle of the infectious enthusiasm of the 12 strong Brass for Africa Ensemble and the energetic playing of the WMC World Youth Brass Band.
First Division:
Just as in the Championship Division the previous day, there was a great deal for judges Dr Robert Childs, Florent Didier and Jan van der Roost to compare and contrast in a slightly uneven First Division battle between rivals from Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, England and Germany.
Philip Sparke's 'Tallis Variations' proved to be a stern test of technique as well as style, whilst at times selected ambition perhaps exceeded realistic expectation in the 30 minute sets.
No such problems for eventual champion, Brass Band Bacchus from Belgium, as they topped both elements to claim their third World title following successes at Third and Second Division levels in 2001 and 2009 respectively.
Dotted with experience throughout their ranks (including the welcome sight of Raf Van Looveren on principal cornet) they opened with Marin Cordner's 'The Adventurers' before contrasting the set-work with an evocative account of Jonathan Bates' Antarctic inspired 'Amundsen'.
Earlier the marker had been set by fellow Belgian contenders Mercator Brass off the number 1 draw. Led by Lode Violet, who must have tempered his celebrations from the night before after the victory of Brass Band Willebroek, they opened with tuba player Stijn Aertgeert's flowing 'Osterfjorden'.
Their euphonium soloist Tom de Laet gave a confident rendition of Max Bruch's 'Kol Nidrei' before 'Tallis Variations' was topped by the fizzy 'Opening Night in Las Vegas' by Reid Gilje to close.
Third place went to Brass Band Merum with a set that included the opener 'I'll Walk with God' and the dramatic, 'The Son of Light' by Bertrand Moren.
The remaining top-six places were claimed by Pro Rege Heerenveen, whose excellent cornetist Dirk van Dijk took the 'Best Soloist' award for his overall contribution to their programme, whilst Ensemble de Cuivres Ambitus were fifth.
Regent Brass from England, who gained the musical achievement award after also overcoming a number of last-minute problems posed by Covid-19 to make it to the event, were sixth.
Second Division:
There was a comprehensive Dutch victory in the Second Division where Brass Band Gloria Dei retained the title won in 2017 with a performance of imposing authority under MD, Gerk Huisma.
It was their third successive Kerkrade success (they also won the Third Division in 2013) and came courtesy of a triptych of high-quality performances — right from the opening drive of Etienne Crausaz's 'The Turtle Dove'.
They followed it with an evocative account of Thibaut Bruniaux's 'Babylon', first used at the French Nationals in 2018, and which offered an excellent contrast to the contained requirements of Gilbert Vinter's 'Entertainments' — played with a confident assuredness and directed with informed nuance.
Their exceptional cornet player Oebele van der Heide deservedly claimed the 'Best Soloist' award.
"I'm very happy,"the MD said in his interview. "The sound in the band was good. There were some small errors, but I was very happy with the musical journey."
Gerk Huisma has been MD for six months, but he said that the band had played the Vinter previously so knew it well, whilst they worked for seven weeks on 'Babylon'.
"I've heard a lot of music of Vinter — 'Spectrum' of course, but 'Babylon' is more 'Hollywood' music, but with 'Entertainments' you hear everything. It looks easy but the clarity is the difficulty".
The Belgian contender Brass Band Panta Rhei had earlier given the judges a substantial marker off the number 1 draw.
Led by Brass Band Willebroek horn star Tim De Maeseneer, they opened with the grand sounds of Jan Van der Roost's 'Hypernicon', before a well delivered set-work segued into their closing item of 'A Flowing Friction' by Lode Violet.
Third place was claimed by Dutch contender Brass Band Excelsior Ferwert who opened with the quiet reflection of 'All in the April Evening' before moving into the set-test and finishing with Kenneth Downie's 'Purcell Variations'.
Third Division:
The growing maturity of the Lithuanian brass band movement was shown in the Third Division, where the World Championship crown was won by Brass Band Aukstyn.
After showcasing their talents at the European Youth Championships in Birmingham in May, the young band made the trip to Kerkrade encompassing five days of travel through Poland and Germany.
Each day they stopped for four hours of rehearsal, before ending at the home town of conductor Piet Visser to give a concert.
All the hard work paid off, as they produced a sparkling opening of 'Celebrity' by Swiss composer Mario Burki, followed a fine rendition of the set-work that included confident choreographed solo cameos from all featured players.
They closed, appropriately enough given their travels, with a swaggering account of Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' to claim the title.
The MD who has worked in Lithuania for over 25 years developing a foundation of brass banding in small villages and towns spoke with great pride after the performance.
"When I first went there we had a small joke to just get a band to play in tune! Now they are so enthusiastic that they can do anything."
Although there were only three bands taking part in the contest, the overall standard was very good, with the Belgian duo of Brass Band Hombeek in second who featured the cleverly conceived and choreographed 'Gammel Dansk', and United Brass in third.
Their outstanding flugel player Christine de Pauw took the 'Best Soloist' award for her touching rendition of Caccini's 'Ave Maria'.
It was to be the vital element in securing overall victory — a knack they have displayed going back to their first European title success in 1993 under their peerless MD that few can match4BR
Results:
Championship/Concert Division:
Adjudicators:
Set Work: Dr Robert Childs; Jan van der Roost; Florent Didier
Own Choice programme: Russell Gray; Jan de Haan; Hannes Buchegger
Set-Work: Contest Music (Wilfred Heaton)
Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet): 93.00/97.33 = 95.17
2. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc): 91.50/98.33 = 94.92
3. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs): 94.00/95.33 = 94.67
4. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Paul Holland): 95.00/93.00 = 94.00
5. Hauts-de-France Brass Band (Luc Vertommen): 91.00/95.33 = 93.17
6. James Madison University Brass Band (Kevin Stees): 88.00/91.00 = 89.50
Best Set-Work Performance: Brass Band Schoonhoven
Outstanding Soloist in Own Choice Programme: Glenn Van Looy (euphonium) — Valaisia Brass Band
First Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Florent Didier; Jan van der Roost
Set-Work: Tallis Variations (Philip Sparke)
Set-Work/Own-Choice programme = Total
1. Brass Band Bacchus (Bart van Neyghem): 96.00/95.00 = 95.50
2. Mercator Brass Band (Johan De Win): 94.33/93.00 = 93.67
3. Brass Band Merum (Theo Wolters): 93.33/92.33 = 92.83
4. Pro Rege Heerenveen (Anne van den Berg): 91.67/89.67 = 90.67
5. Ensemble de Cuivres Ambitus (Gilles Rocha): 91.33/88.67 = 90.00
6. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid): 87.67/87.00 = 87.33
7. Flixton Band (Matthew Ryan): 86.33/85.67 = 86.00
8. United Harriet Colliery Band (Harry Vorselen): 85.00/85.33 = 85.17
Musical Achievement Award: Regent Brass
Best Soloist: Dirk van Dijk (Brass Band Pro Rege Heerenveen) — cornet
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Russell Gray; Hannes Buchegger; Jan der Haan
Set-Work: Entertainments (Gilbert Vinter)
Set-Work/Own-Choice programme = Total
1. Brass Band Gloria Dei (Gerk Huisma): 94.67/96.33 = 95.50
2. Brass Band Panta Rhei (Tim De Maeseneer): 94.33/88.67 = 91.50
3. Brass Band Excelsior Ferwert (Gijs Heusinkveld): 90.33/90.33 = 90.33
4. Gereformeerde Brass Band Groningen (Jan Werkman): 89.67/90.00 = 89.83
5. Martini Brass Band (Rieks van der Velde): 89.33/88.67 = 89.00
6. Brass Band Schoonhoven B (Zoran Rosendahl): 87.67/89.67 = 88.67
7. Lewis Merthyr Band (Craig Roberts): 87.33/86.67 = 87.00
Musical Achievement Award: Brass Band Gloria Dei
Best Soloist: Oebele van der Heide (Brass Band Gloria Dei ) — cornet
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Florent Didier; Jan van der Roost
Set-Work: Albinus (Etienne Crausaz)
Set-Work/Own-Choice programme = Total
1. Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser): 95.33/94.67 = 95.00
2. Brass Band Hombeek (Stan Nieuwenhuis): 94.00/94.67 = 94.33
3. United Brass (Frank Vantroyen): 92.00/91.67 = 91.83
Musical Achievement Award: Brass Band Hombeeg
Best Soloist: Christine De Pauw (United Brass) — flugel
