An intensely emotive performance focussed on the life and achievements of Polish scientist Marie Curie gave Eikanger Bjorsvik a record 20th Siddis Entertainment Championship title.

Linked by the narration of actor Irene Winter as the double Noble Prize winner in the last hours of her life in a French Sanatorium, it looked back at the joy of her early childhood in Poland through to her work on radioactivity, the tragic death of her beloved husband and the life saving 'Curie Vans' used to save soldiers on the battlefields of the First World War.

The celebrations that greeted her post-war visit to the USA were then contrasted by the
tender reflections of flugel soloist Gyda Matland playing Chopin's 'Etude Op.10' 'Tristesse' as her life reached its end.

So much to ponder and appreciate

"It gave us so much to ponder and appreciate," adjudicator Philip Harper (joined by Uwe Koller and Sverre Olsrud) told 4BR. "The connection between the narration and the music was full of subtlety and emotional texture — always complementing and adding to the story. It was a clear winner for us."

The 23-minute set of linked original compositions and arrangements for 'Wednesday 4th July 1934 at 5.35am' (the date and time of her death) came from Eikanger's artistic team of Reid Gilje, Frode Rydland and Fredrick Schjelderup. The victory also saw Reid Gilje add to his record by claiming an eleventh Elite Division title with the band (a remarkable 16th Siddis success in total at all levels).

Eikanger will now bring the programme to the Brass in Concert Championships where they will hope to instil the same rapt emotional attention of both the audience and judges from first note until last. It is sure to be a performance not to be missed.

Mythical Krohnengen

There was also an Eikanger link with runner-up Krohnengen in equally their best Siddis result.

Former tuba star Magnus Brandseth showcased both his exciting compositional and conducting talents in their 'Mythical Creatures' set — its filmatic contrasts encompassing a quartet of character portraits of 'The Yeti', 'Unicorn', 'Sea Ghosts and Sirens' and 'Phoenix'.

It was bold, confident music making that held rich promise that the 'Anger' band stronghold of Eikanger, Manger and Stavanger on the Siddis and National titles (Sandefjord was the last band to break the triptych stranglehold at Siddis in 1996, and in 2000 at the Nationals) could at last be coming under sustained threat.

AI Stavanger

Behind them hometown favourite Stavanger conducted by Ian Porthouse explored the exciting, as well as foreboding possibilities of human life 'enhanced' by the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Through their Facebook page the band also asked listeners to pick which of the five movements of composer Daniel Hall's 'HumAnIty' set was created by a special AI composition algorithm. Somewhat ominously only 25% identified that it was the lyrical horn solo 'Lament for Lost Tomorrows' played splendidly by horn soloist Arfon Owen.

Thankfully though the future of Norwegian compositional talent certainly has a very human sense of positivity, with the likes of Kjetil Djonne, Kolbein Eide Bukve, Isak Hard, David Hveem and Rohan Sandemo Fernando, writers to watch out for.

Allan Withington has already made a considerable contribution to the repertoire, and it was his 'Tolerance, Forgiveness and Hope' programme centred on the life of Anne Frank that eventually came fourth. The band's principal cornet William Grov Skramsett took the 'Best Soloist' award for his touching rendition of 'Anne Franks' Faces'.

Endorsement

Meanwhile, Bjorsvik Brass paid homage to perhaps the greatest of all brass band arrangers with 'Howard Snell's Treasure Chest' set to end fifth and claim the separate entertainment prize, whilst sixth place went to the cleverly realised 'Modern Traditions' by Tertnes Brass.

Elsewhere there was much to enjoy with Jaren's 'UpROARR!' animal set, Kleppe's art theft 'Heist' programme and Oslo's homage to 'Modern Norwegian Jazz'.

In the end though it was Eikanger that secured a 20th title success with a performance that in its way fully endorsed the decision of the Siddis organisers to return to a more cerebral appreciation of 24-minute entertainment programming.

Speaking to the adjudicators, the majority felt it was a refreshing be given the opportunity appreciate the 'artistic whole' of each programme rather than single categories.

That emphasis, geared towards quality of performance, context and entertainment connection to the general audience gave a great deal of food for thought on the day — much like Eikanger's winning programme.

First Division:

Rong Brass's exciting 'Quest for the Submerged Cathedral' deservedly claimed the First Division title.

A cleverly conceived 'mix and match' of repertoire by MD David Morton (another of the new generation of rising conducting talents) of works that had been used previously by the likes of Flowers and Eikanger at Brass in Concert and Siddis, was greatly enhanced by professional narrator Tor Bjorge who linked things together with his dramatic input.

It was the brilliance of the playing execution though that caught the attention of the judges Ray Farr and Daniel Hall. Daniel later told 4BR that the whole set had been "fantastically put together and delivered" as they secured the title for the second time and claimed the entertainment prize.

High quality

Behind them came Askoy's 'Voices of the West', led by Svein Henrik Giske, which featured music from Norwegian composers and artists based on the west coast of the country — from Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen and Edvard Greig to pop singer Gabrielle and the conductor himself.

Defending champion Flesland Musikklag was third, as Margie Antrobus led a fun packed 'Roaring 20s' set that featured a superb bit of Beiderbeckesque cornet playing from 'Best Soloist' award winner Stefan Cooper in 'East St. Louis Toodle-Oo'.

The remaining top-six in a high-quality contest of varied thematic repertoire came from Gjallarhorn's 'Crowd Pleaser' set, followed by Sola Brass ('Kings, Queens & Saints in 17th Century Renaissance London') and the elegantly led depiction of 'The Cardinal Sins' by Oslofjord Brass.

Second Division:

With 58 competitors taking part in the various contests, the Second Division was held at the Kuppelhallen just up the hill from the main Concert Hall.

A supportive audience and judges Arvid Anthun and Tom Hutchinson certainly enjoyed themselves as 16 bands delivered programmes embracing themes as diverse as Circus fun and games and world tours to Celtic Connections and a visit to Tin Pan Alley.

Unexpected twists and turns

It was however Sagvag Musikklag's 'Heilnork' set that evoked unexpected twists and turns from the peaceful to the dramatic that won the day under the experienced Karl Ole Midtbo.

Tom Hutchinson later told 4BR that it had also been "a clear winner", with high quality ensemble playing enhanced by excellent solo lines, that enabled the band, after coming runner-up last year, to claim their third Siddis title and their first since 1999.

Second place went to Hasle Brass as Robert Solberg Nilsen led them on a well-crafted 'Spiritual Journey' programme, whilst Agder Brass was third, as conductor Russell Gray enjoyed himself on their entertainment prize winning 'Heroes and Villains' set.

The remaining top-six slots went to the circus fun and games of Alexander Brass, the turbulence of love from Folleso and the musically threaded connections of KOS-Krohnengen Old Stars, which included a fine 'Best Soloist' performance of 'Icicles' by flugel Helene Faerestrand.

Third Division:

The multi-purpose Zetlitz Hall hosted the 14 bands in the Third Section, where Thomas Beiganz and Jayne Murill sat back and enjoyed the engaging entertainment.

They also found a clear winner in Lindas Brass conducted by Eikanger trombone player Vidar Nordli, whose 'Sound of Norway' set with music from the pens of Philip Harper ('Nordic Polska') to Stijn Aertgeerts ('Osterfjorden') was delivered with classy aplomb.

Second place went to Rosendal Musikklag's homage to the 40th anniversary of Siddis Brass, which featured a fine rendition of 'First Light' by cornet player Tor Skeie Olsen in taking the 'Best Soloist' award, whilst Tertnes Amatorkorps came third with their 'You Want to be an American' set.

The remaining top-six places in a contest the judges also said was of a high standard, went to Haukas Musikklag, Moen Musikkforening and Skeie Brass who won the entertainment prize for their 'Elements of Fire' programme.

Fourth Division:

The 10 bands in the small Lille Konsertsal venue provided a great entertainment for judges Kenneth Crookston and Maria Nygard Molund as well as the supportive audience.

The pair told 4BR that they thoroughly enjoyed the task of separating the bands out — with the best combining the essential mastery of good banding basics with an added pinch of showmanship and quality execution.

It was Langhus Brass that combined those elements best to claim a clear victory (and entertainment prize), as led by Thomas W Tengelsen they cleverly linked their theme of '5 pieces not for Brass Band'.

These included works not originally written for medium such as 'Pseudo Jioik' and 'Blue' to 'Forelsket I Kobenhavn', 'A Little Prayer' and the video game music 'Moon Theme' to secure their first ever Siddis title. In addition, their trumpet soloist Ruben Svanasbakken Sevaldson claimed the 'Best Soloist' award.

Runner-up was Fitjar Musikklag with their Celtic themed set ahead of Riska Brass Band's film music programme. The remaining top-six spots went to Eidesberg Brassband, Karmsund Brass and Musikkorpset Heimdal.

Refreshing ethos

Siddis Brass celebrated its 40th anniversary this year — a landmark for a contest that started with just 10 competing bands in 1983 and is now the largest major brass band entertainment contest in the world (aided by the World of Brass live-broadcast for each competition).

Professionally run (with over 80 volunteers helping out) with a progressive outlook, it retains a refreshing ethos of embracing change and development (seen with the new adjudication approach), that places trust in its competing bands and those who judge them to provide high class brass band entertainment to a global audience.

That was certainly the case this year — led once again by the perennial masters of inventiveness, Eikanger Bjorsvik.

Iwan Fox

Eikanger will now bring the programme to the Brass in Concert Championships where they will hope to instil the same rapt emotional attention of both the audience and judges from first note until last4BR

Results:

Elite Division:

Fartein Valen
Adjudicators: Philip Harper, Uwe Köller, Sverre Olsrud

1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje)
2. Krohnengen Brass Band (Magnus Brandseth)
3. Stavanger Brass Band (Ian Porthouse)
4. Manger Musikklag (Allan Withington)
5. Bjørsvik Brass (Magnus Brandseth)
6. Tertnes Brass (Paul Holland)
7. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (David Morton)
8. Kleppe Musikklag (Tormod Flaten)
9. Oslo Brass Band (David Hveem)

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

First Division:

Fartein Valen
Adjudicators: Ray Farr, Daniel Hall

1. Rong Brass (David Morton)
2. Askøy Brass Band (Svein H. Giske)
3. Flesland Musikklag (Margie S Antrobus)
4. Gjallarhorn (Kjetil Djønne)
5. Sola Brass Band (Gwyn Evans)
6. Oslofjord Brass (Elsine Haugstad)
7. Ila Brass Band (Tom Ole Elgsaas Hønsvik)
8. Radøy Brass (Torstein Aagard-Nilsen)
9. Montebello Brass (Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling)

Entertainment Prize: Rong Brass
Best Soloist: Stephan Cooper (cornet) — Flesland Musikklag

Second Division:

Kuppelhallen
Adjudicators: Arvid Anthun, Tom Hutchinson

1. Sagvag Musikklag (Karl Ole Midtbø)
2. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen)
3. Agder Brass (Russell Gray)
4. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E Hansen)
5. Follesø Musikklag (Christian Breistein)
6. KOS — Krohnengen Old Stars (Rune Hannisdal)
7. Manger Old Star Brass (Patrik Randefalk)
8. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen)
9. Fjell Brass (Paul Fensom)
10. Bergen Brass Band (Thor-Arne Pedersen)
11. Stangaland Brass (Kjetil Djønne)
12. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Ovrebekk)*
13. Gjesdal Brass Band (Jonas Skartveit Rogne)
14. Sørum Musikklag (Philip Hannevik)
15. Skui Brassband (Jon Terje Svendsen)
16. Oster Brass (Jane Westervik)

*Demoted 1 place due to time infringement
Entertainment Prize: Agder Brass
Best Soloist: Helene Faerestrand (flugel) — KOS — Krohnengen Old Stars

Third Division:

Zetlitz
Adjudicators: Thomas Beiganz, Jayne Murill

1. Lindas Brass (Vidar Nordli)
2. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen)
3. Tertnes Amatørkorps (Joseph W. Cook)
4. Haukas Musikklag (Egil Magnussen)
5. Moen Musikkforening (Ole Kristian Egge)
6. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding)
7. IMI Brass (Halvor Gaard)
8. Seim Musikklag (Torstein Holmas)
9. Hetlevik Musikklag (Sturle Berntsen)
10. Salhus Musikklag (Bjørn Breistein)
11. Norheimsund Musikklag (Viljar Bjørsvik Rath)
12. Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars-Bjørnar Strengenes)
13. Laksevag Musikkforening (Fredrick Schjelderup)
14. Lyshornet Brass (Arild Ronaes)

Entertainment Prize: Skeie Brass
Best Soloist: Tor Skeie Olsen (cornet) — Rosendal Musikklag

Fourth Division:

Lille Konsertsal
Adjudicators: Kenneth Crookston, Maria Nygård Molund

1. Langhus Brass (Thomas W. Tengelsen)
2. Fitjar Musikklag (Svein Roger Koppang)
3. Riska Brass Band (Arne Stian Aarrestad)
4. Eidsberg Brassband (Sverre Caspersen)
5. Karmsund Brass (Kristian Thulin)
6. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Linas Dakinevicius)
7. Tasta Brass (Morten Ovrebekk)
8. Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austnes-Underhaug)
9. Alvik og Eikelandsfjorden Musikklag (Oddvar Nøstdal)
10. Julebygda Brass (Thor Oyvind Nordby)

Entertainment Prize: Langhus Brass
Best Soloist: Ruben Svanasbakken Sevaldson (trumpet) — Langhus Brass