It was rather apt that the clocks went back in time in the Netherlands on the weekend.

Never mind the one hour though; Brass Band Schoonhoven's victory under Erik Janssen transported us back to 2013, and the last of their four consecutive victories together at the National Championships.

Since the ending of their musical partnership in 2014 they have won the title on two other occasions.

However, his welcome return earlier this year has reignited the potential not only to dominate domestically once more, but to also become a contender for title glory at the 2024 European Championships in Palanga.

Emotional

The emotional sense of togetherness as they celebrated in triumph at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht was therefore marked — more so after it was revealed their respected Band Manager Leon Monteny had to step down from playing before the contest due to a serious health diagnosis.

His joy at being able to lift the trophy alongside close friends was plain to see — as was that of Erik Janssen after he admitted feeling that they had 'left the door open' due to a few clips in the early part of the demanding set-work, 'Redbad — A Musical Portrait', by Jan de Haan.

Door open

"This victory means a great deal now in so many ways," Erik said. "We did feel we allowed the door to open with those early mistakes. After that the band was superb for me and the performance grew so much. We will now build on that, support Leon and all together return stronger."

Although errors were heard with the champion, no band emerged unscathed from what was a demanding, drama packed test-piece — and one that certainly asked a great deal in terms of stamina due to its 18 minute plus duration.

Schoonhoven though displayed a hefty hallmark quality in ensemble tonality and dynamic range, as well as a stable of outstanding soloists (star solo euphonium Robbert Vos making his final appearance).

It was aided by the MD's approach to the episodic score which had a defined, coherent arc of understanding — the climax a shuddering triumphal march to glory.

Neck and neck battle

Their seventh Championship title success came after a neck and neck battle with 2018 champion, Provinciale Brassband Groningen.

Their MD, Richard Visser will bow out after eight years at the helm with a proud record of achievement — and one that was so nearly capped by making it a 'double' after winning the Dutch Open earlier in the year.

He will be hard man to replace; his informed direction once again drawing out layers of score balance and detail unheard elsewhere. It set a very high marker to beat.

In the end Schoonhoven did it by the narrowest of margins — something later confirmed by the judges and reinforcing the opinion of Luc Vertommen (joined by Sheona Wade and Bertrand Moren) in his pre-results analysis when speaking of "one moment of magic" that separated the top two.

It was also rather apt that the final performance of the weekend came from the reigning champion Soli Brass to end third. Theirs was a proud defence of the title, only relinquishing it after giving their all under the lucid direction of Anne van den Berg.

Cutting through the fat

The remaining top-six places went to Brassband de Waldsang, as not for the first time over the two days the experienced Rieks van der Velde cut through the unnecessary layers of musical fat to get to the beating heart of the music. The band's 'Best Trombones' took the one individual prize on offer.

A colourful take on the score by Brassband Rijnmond was fifth, whilst Amsterdam Brass impressed in sixth with their splendid euphonium player the star soloist of the contest in mastering the tricky opening cadenza and the later pyrotechnics with virtuosic ease.

Although not one band was cowed into musical fealty to Redband 'King of the Frisians', the remaining trio of De Bazuin Oenkerk, Brassband de Spijkerpakkenband and Brass Band Limburg will have had little cause for complaint in a contest that had defined layers of excellence.

First Division:

On a weekend when 'newer' works caused few interpretive issues, Gilbert Vinter's 'James Cook — Circumnavigator', over half a century old, and a nautical map clearly marked with compass point directions on tempi and dynamic, managed to shipwreck a number of misplaced title winning ambitions.

Why so many MDs got their bearings wrong was a puzzle — and one remarked upon by Sheona Wade in her clear pre-results analysis.

Perhaps they believed that the treasures of Vinter scores have all been exhaustively unearthed. They would be wrong. X marked the spot — or in this case clearly marked tempos and dynamics — the following of which still gained reward. Those who didn't sank beneath the waves without trace.

Gloria double

The best for the judges came from Brass Band Gloria Dei conducted by Gerk Huisma. They made it a World Music Contest/National title 'double' (both on Gilbert Vinter pieces) to give a first domestic First Division success.

It was a performance of exciting colour and generous dynamics, purposeful boldness and fine solo contributions. And whilst it did perhaps need a little more time to have really captured the nautical English swagger that Vinter so cleverly evoked, it told the dramatic tale in swashbuckling fashion.

Authentic Vinter

Just behind, Oefening en Uitspanning's MD Anno Appelo used all his experience on his last appearance with the band to bring an authentic Vinter feel to the music; lean, tempered and stylish with an excellent 'Best Euph' prize winner, whilst Pro Rege Heerenveen was third with a confident, if somewhat frantic rendition.

Brassband Excelsior under the wily Rieks van der Velde may count themselves unlucky to have missed out on a podium finish, with Brass Band Amersfoort, Kunst naar Kracht and Brass Band Breukelen completing a top-six that provided ample evidence that Vinter's music remains as challenging as ever.

Second Division:

Earlier, Rieks van der Velde claimed a remarkable 19th National title (11 Championship; 2 First; 4 Second; 1 Third and 1 Fourth), as he led Martini Brass Band to the Second Division honours.

Daniel Hall's 'Sanctuary!' was a compact retelling of Victor Hugo's famous 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' novel — complete with the sound of the bells. It was no 'Disneyfied' version though; darker undercurrents underpinning the emerging fates of Quasimodo and Esmeralda.

The MD evoked his take brilliantly; the classy playing detailed and spacious, the dynamics refined so that the character of the music emerged from the score with an engaging immediacy.

It gave Martini domestic 'double' after winning the Dutch Open earlier in the year, and their first National title since 2007.

Excites

Later Rikes told 4BR how much enjoyed the work (as well as 'Redbad' and 'James Cook' which he also conducted). "The music choices this year needed to be looked at very closely by conductors,"he said. "That still excites me a great deal — appreciating what the composer wants and what the judges are looking for".

His approach denied Brass Band Schoonhoven B the chance of emulating their senior sibling, although they came close to claiming their first National success at this level with a bright, sharply defined account under Joop Nijholt.

Another band making a successful move up a level was Brass Band Excelsior Ferwert under the talented Gijs Heusinkveld. They ended third with a performance of heart on sleeve romanticism, whilst the rest of the seven-band field all emerged from their musical adventure to medieval Paris in credit.

Third Division:

There was a clear winner in the Third Division, as Greidebrass took the honours by a commanding three-point margin.

A fine performance off the number 1 draw of Etienne Crausaz's challenging 'Albinus Variations' (a work that would extensively test Second Section bands in the UK in comparison) saw Marco Middelberg's band claim their first ever National title and add to the Gouden Spiker Festival success earlier this year.

The adjudication trio of Frans Aert Burghgraef, Ludovic Neurohr and Frans Violet were certainly impressed, with Frans telling the audience that the winner was "excellent in every respect"(their cornet and euph duo taking the individual award) in a what was a "very good quality contest".

That was certainly true, and whilst bands here can call on former players from other sections to help, it doesn't give a false impression of comparative standards between divisions, even if the differences between the bands themselves at this level was marked.

A confident Brass Band Immanuel produced an invigorating account to come runner-up, whilst the considered control of Backum Brass ended third.

Fourth Division:

The contest weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with an excellent Fourth Division battle that saw Koperensemble De Waldsang led by Gerk Huisma claim a first National title since 2008.

Stephan Hodel's breezy 'Argos' proved an excellent test-piece choice — enabling all 11 bands to perform confidently — and none more so than the eventual winner. Their account was relaxed and classy, led by a great horn team and youthful back row that added to a rich, balanced sound.

Finesse

It also enabled them to pip runner-up Brass Band Opsterland, whose MD, Martine Reijenga inspired an 'Argos' of stylish character and finesse, whilst third place went to a spacious account from Brassband Westersweach.

The remaining top-six places went to Soli Deo Gloria (with their excellent 'Best Percussion section), CMV Concordia and Chr. Muziekvereniging Blaast de Bazuin in a contest that had an encouraging depth of overall quality.

Dutch quality

The Dutch Championships continue to be a beacon of organisational professionalism (led by Pieter van Diepen, who steps down from his role as Chairperson after this event) and progressive artistic outlook, with the Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht providing an ideal venue.

Both days ran to a strict timetable, audience numbers in the hall were healthy for all sections and the overall standard continues to grow from foundation level up. The test-piece choices, which balanced stylistic as well as technical considerations, were challenging — in particular, the new top section commission from Jan de Haan.

It is well worth listening out for again, although it may need to be amended slightly for a contest with a larger field of competitors.

Informed registration rules also continue to allow the balance between inclusion and competitive integrity to be maintained, whilst at the top level, the best bands are now very much the equal of those across the European continent.

And, on a weekend when time may have gone back a little, but the engaging outlook of the Dutch moved forward once more, that is certainly an avenue well worth exploring further to encourage closer, beneficial cooperation between major events.

Iwan Fox

The emotional sense of togetherness as they celebrated in triumph at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht was therefore marked4BR

Results:

Championship Division:

Set-Work: 'Redbad' — A Musical Portrait (Jan de Haan)
Adjudicators: Sheona Wade; Bertrand Moren; Luc Vertommen

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven A (Erik Janssen): 97
2. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Richard Visser): 96
3. Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg): 94
4. Brass Band De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde): 93
5. Brass Band Rijnmond (Chris Derikx): 92
6. Amsterdam Brass (Paul van Gils): 91
7. De Bazuin Oenkerk (Jaap Musschenga): 90
8. Brass Band de Spijkerpakkenbandband (Ido Gerard Kempenaar): 89
9. Brass Band Limburg (Renato Meli): 88

Best Trombone Section: Brass Band De Waldsang

First Division:

Set-Work: James Cook — Circumnavigator (Gilbert Vinter)
Adjudicators: Sheona Wade; Bertrand Moren; Luc Vertommen

1. Brass Band Gloria Dei (Gerk Huisma): 94
2. Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo): 92
3. Brass Band Pro Rege Heerenveen (Anne van den Berg): 90
4. Chr. Brassband Excelsior (Rieks van der Velde): 89
5. Brass Band Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage): 87
6. Kunst naar Kracht (Pieter Koster): 86
7. Brass Band Breukelen (Erik Kluin): 85

Best Euphonium: Oefening en Uitspanning

Second Division:

Set-Work: Sanctuary! (Daniel Hall)
Adjudicators: Frans Aert Burghgraef; Ludovic Neurohr; Frans Violet

1. Martini Brass Band (Rieks van der Velde): 92
2. Brass Band Schoonhoven B (Joop Nijholt): 91
3. Brass Band Excelsior Ferwert (Gijs Heusinkveld): 90
4. De Bazuin Oenkerk B (Jan Aart Ponstein): 88
5. De Lofklank (Gerk Huisma): 87
6. Gereformeerde Brass Band Groningen (Jan Werkman): 86
7. Brass Band Looft den Heer (Gijs Heusinkveld): 85

Best Horn: Brass Band Excelsior Ferwert

Third Division:

Set-Work: Albinus Variations (Etienne Crausaz)
Adjudicators: Frans Aert Burghgraef; Ludovic Neurohr; Frans Violet

1. Greidebrass (Marco Middelberg): 96
2. Brass Band Immanuel (Jan Werkman): 93
3. Backum Brass (Harmen Cnossen): 90
4. Brass Band Heman (Geert Jan Kroon): 88
5. Brass Band Kunst en Vriendschap (Henk van Loon): 87
6. De Nije Bazun (Jaap Wils): 86
7. Apollo (Piet Visser): 85

Best Cornet/Euphonium: Greidebrass

Fourth Division:

Set-Work: Argos (Stephan Hodel)
Adjudicators: Frans Aert Burghgraef; Ludovic Neurohr; Frans Violet

1. Koperensemble De Waldsang (Gerk Huisma): 93
2. Brass Band Opsterland (Martine Reijenga): 91
3. Chr. brassband Westersweach (Jan Rondaan): 90
4. Soli Deo Gloria (Martijn Oostra): 89
5. CMV Concordia (Gouke Wielenga): 88
6. Chr. Muziekvereniging Blaast de Bazuin (Piet Visser): 87
7. Soli Deo Gloria Rinsumageast (Reimer Jan Rondaan): 86
8. Brass Band UDI Oosternijkerk (Marco Middelberg): 85
9. Brass Band Bernlef (Theun van Leijen): 84
10. Alkmaar Brass (Alexander Zwaan): 83
11. Felison Brass (Marcel Mooibroek): 82

Best Section: Percussion of Soli Deo Gloria