*
banner

2024 4BR Solo/Ensemble CD of the Year

There were a number of fine recordings made by soloists and ensembles this year, but these were the trio that made the biggest mark with the panel

AWARD
  RE:BUILD by the trombone ensemble Slide Action claims the award this year

Winner: RE:BUILD

Slide Action
NMC Recordings: CD D289
Review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/products/cd780.asp

2. The Beauty Within

Soloist: Sheona White
Featuring: Foden's Band; Lauren Scott (harp)
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Doyen Recordings: DOY CD430
Review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/products/cd769.asp

3. Baut

Stig Nordhagen: Musikk for Eufonium
Soloist: Bente Illevold
Featuring: Gunnar Flagstad, Anders Kregnes Hansen, Strings Unlimited
AT Recordings:
Available on Spotify and other platforms
Review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/products/cd766.asp

The superbly crafted debut CD from the Slide Action trombone ensemble is the '4BR Solo/ Ensemble CD of the Year'

As 4BR stated in its review, few releases have been created with such an innate sense of inventive musical thinking.

The arc of composition extends from 17th century baroque Purcell to 21st century game graphic notation with nine newly recorded works encompassing jazz, folk, DJ sample tracks, synthesiser modulations and cartoon animal sounds.

It gained 7 first choice nominations from the panel plus five others to claim the accolade.

Sheona White's elegantly delivered release 'The Beauty Within' with performances of rich musicality and sophisticated boldness is the runner-up, gaining 4 first choice nominations and five others.

Third place went to the dark explorations for the euphonium that came with the music of Stig Nordhagen and the wonderfully crepuscular playing, taut and unwavering of Bente Illvold. It gained 2 first choice nominations and 3 others.

Panel:

The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (4BR Editor); Malcolm Wood (4BR); Chris Thomas (4BR & BBW); Gordon Simpson (brass band statistician); Anne Crookston (conductor/adjudicator); Sarah Groarke-Booth (conductor/adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (conductor/journalist); Jess Tredrea (conductor/musician); Tim Mutum (brass band historian); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Michael Franz (Editor Brass Band News Switzerland); Henk Van Loon (Editor CU Brass); Stein Skorpholm (broadcaster/musician); Camila Soderstrom Tveit (musician/adjudicator); Philippa Edwards AOM (conductor/performing arts producer)

few releases have been created with such an innate sense of inventive musical thinking4BR

Past Winners:

2023: Oskar Bohme: Trumpet Concerto & Pieces (Matthias Hofs)
2022: Keep the Music Playing (James Fountain)
2021: Resurrection (Prof David King)
2020: Eire Time (Gary Curtin)
2019: The Symphonic Euphonium II (David Childs)
2018: Life Force (Peter Moore)
2017: The Demonic Virtuoso (Owen Farr)
2016: Fantasy (Philip Cobb)
2015: Parallel Realities (David Thornton)
2014: The Symphonic Euphonium (David Childs)
2013: Stories of Life (Glenn Van Looy)
2012: Diamonds (Steven Mead)
2011: Dreaming of the Masters (Jens Lindemann)
2010: Moto Perpetuo (David Childs)
2009: Salt of the Earth (Les Neish)
2008: Audacious (Steven Mead)
2007: Eminence (Richard Marshall)
2006: The World of the Euphonium: Volume 5 (Steven Mead)
2005: Blaze (Richard Marshall)
2004: Legend (Peter Roberts)
2003: A Winter's Tale (Martin Winter)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


David Bremner

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with David Bremner

January 24 • We chat to the New Zealand trombone star and conductor about his appearance at the festival as a soloist and at the helm with Brighouse & Rastrick.


Mark Bousie

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Mark Bousie

January 24 • We talk to Mark Bousie who will be leading the talented students of the Junior RNCM Brass Band in an ambitious programme — including two world premieres on Saturday afternoon.


Superbrass

Superbrass Saturday: Leviathan (Paul Denegri arr. Tom Barton)

January 24 • A great concert work brings a big beast of the ocean to life in a fantastic arrangement.


Doodles

New year resolutions to meet for Doodles Mouthpiece replating

January 24 • If you made a New Year's resolution to get your mouthpiece fixed for the Areas this year then get in touch with Dave Houghton pronto...


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Friday 31 January • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 7 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Wotton-under-Edge Silver Band

January 27 • Our busy and very friendly 2nd section band will have 2 vacancies from 10th March 2025 - TENOR HORN - Bb BASS. We rehearse on Tuesdays & Thursdays near our lovely home town, just a short drive from M5, J14.


Wotton-under-Edge Silver Band

January 27 • ARE YOU ABLE TO TEACH BRASS?. We are seeking a skilled & enthusiastic brass musician with first-rate teaching & communication skills to lead and grow our Wotton Family Brass initiative - Tuesdays 6.30 - 7.30pm. THIS IS A PAID POSITION


North SomerCommunity Brass

January 24 • North Somerset Community Brass are looking to appoint a new MD with immediate effect. We are an enthusiastic non contesting band, looking for someone to lead us and make their mark on the band. We meet on a Friday evening near Weston super Mare.


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd