Brass Band Treize Etoiles claimed the 33rd Swiss Open title in Luzern to secure the second leg of what could become a unique 'Triple Crown' of European, Swiss Open and Swiss National Champion triumphs in 2023.
Conducted by Frederic Theodoloz, the European Champion's commanding performances of the test-piece, 'Angels & Demons' by Peter Graham, and their own-choice of George Lloyd's 'English Heritage' saw them top both contest disciplines to gain an imposing 17-point margin of victory over their nearest rivals.
It was the band's fourteenth success at the event held at the superb KKL Konzertsaal Hall in Luzern, which will also host the Swiss National Championships in November. It also came with a prize package of 6,500 CHF (£5,840).
A successful defence of National title will see them become the first Swiss band to win all three major contests in the same year. They have also already secured their place at the 2024 British Open Championship following their European success in Malmo.
Victorious
Speaking about their victory on their Facebook page they said: "We return victorious from the Besson Swiss Open Contest! We also took with us the prizes for 'Best Performance' on the free own-choice work and Anthony Rausis won the 'Best Flugel' prize."
In the meantime before they try to add yet more contest silverware to their collection, they will concentrate on their forthcoming 50th anniversary concert in their hometown of Conthey at the end of October — an event marked by the publication of a special anniversary book.
Runner-up
Runner-up for a sixth time was Brass Band Fribourg, as they sought what would have been a first Swiss Open success. Conducted by Florent Didier they pushed Treize Etoiles hard on the test-piece but fell away to eighth place on their own-choice of Gilbert Vinter's 'Spectrum'.
However, due to the higher points aggregate on the set-work they took second place from defending champion Brass Band Berner Oberland and seven-time winner, Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern in fourth.
Luzern's scorching rendition of 'The Year of the Dragon' under Michael Bach saw them end second in the own-choice section (although they only came eighth on the test-piece). It saw them finish ahead of Liberty Brass Band Ostschweiz ('Pageantry') and Wallberg ('Variations on an Enigma') with Berner Oberland's rendition of 'Blitz' led by Veronique Gyger-Pitteloud only coming fifth (they were third on the test-piece).
Fifth place overall though went to the 'all-star' Wallberg Brass conducted by Ivan Meylemans with Liberty Brass Band Ostschweiz directed by Stefan Roth in sixth.
Adjudication
The contest utilises a five-person closed adjudication process. Each judge is allocated 60 points, with the top and bottom mark of the five eliminated to give a trio aggregate score for each discipline.
Ten works were pre-selected as for the own-choice element, with bands offering their preference in order and allocated accordingly.
National battle
Although there was no Valaisia Brass Band in attendance following their recent appearance at the British Open Championship, there was no denying the outstanding quality of the winners who are playing with a confidence that should make them favourites to retain the Swiss National title in a couple of months' time.
However, with Valaisia also keen to regain the title they won on six consecutive appearances from 2015 to 2021, Burgermusik Luzern determined to end a run of four consecutive runner-up finishes, and former winners such as Fribourg and Valaisian all on excellent form, that too should be a contest to savour.
The packed Gala Concert was given by the Cory Band conducted by Philip Harper.
It was the band's fourteenth success at the event held at the superb KKL Konzertsaal Hall in Luzern, which will also host the Swiss National Championships in November4BR
Result:
Adjudicators: Prof Nicholas Childs; Pascal Eicher; Peter Graham; Blaise Heritier; Howard Lorriman
Test-Piece: Angels & Demons (Peter Graham)
Test Piece/Own Choice = Total
1. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Frederic Theodoloz): 178/176 = 354
2. Brass Band Fribourg (Florent Didier): 175/162 = 337*
3. Brass Band Berner Oberland (Veronique Gyger-Pitteloud): 171/166 = 337
4. Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach): 163/174 = 337
5. Wallberg Brass Band (Ivan Meylemans): 168/167 = 335
6. Liberty Brass Band Ostschweiz (Stefan Roth) 164/170 = 334
7. Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan (Francois Roh): 170/163 = 333
8. Oberaargauer Brass Band (Patrick Ottiger): 152/164 = 316
9. Paris Brass Band (Laurent Douvre): 161/154 = 315
10. Brass Band Luzern Land (Sandro Blank): 156/152 = 308
Best Flugel Horn on Test-Piece: Anthony Rausis (Brass Band Treize Etoiles)
Best Own Choice Performance: Brass Band Treize Etoiles
*Higher aggregate mark on test-piece
