Elite division

Friday 8 February, 16.30 Grieghallen

Adjudicators:
Andrew Berryman, Torgny Hansson, Jan Fredrik Christiansen

Test piece:
Odin — From the land of fire and ice — Op. 76, Arthur Butterworth

What do we think?

Great first leg of a contest – fantastic piece, so well played by a number of bands today.

Stavanger were the best today for us – a stunning musical portrait full of such menace and venom. It leads for us by a short head from Manger after a tremendously detailed account with Eikanger just behind them after their powerful and vibrant rendition. Krohnengen were very good benefiting from a fine reading and should feature, and then it’s anyone from three or four. The title is Stavanger’s to lose at the moment though.

1. Stavanger
2. Manger
3. Eikanger
4. Krohnengen

4barsrest live comments:

Oslofjord Brass, Selmer Simonsen, 10

1. Strong willed and purposeful – it’s also a little warts and all. A cultured menace just lacks for a touch more barbarity.
2. Cold blooded alright! The runes need a little more mysticism though. A touch predictable in intent but very accurate.
3. More like it! Great stuff – direct and menacing to the bitter end.

Overall: A portrait that grew in complexity and stature to a thrilling climax.

Stavanger Brass Band, Allan Withington, 9

1. Immensely powerful stuff and truly frightening at times. Great sense of malevolence and deep seated evil brought off with razor sharpness.
2. Cold, dark and unworldly – a mystic’s treat this. Not always secure when the runes are called though. Atmospheric always.
3. A little hesitant to finish the job off, but the then it’s kill zone! Brilliantly finished off.

Overall: A tooth and claw, blood and guts account. Frightening and thrilling in equal measures.

Sandefjord Brass Symposium, Garry Cutt, 8

1. Powerful and purposeful menace. Secure in its objectives too. A dark and coldly textured Odin. There is ice in the veins.
2. Second thoughts perhaps? Not as secure as the runes are rolled. Doesn’t have same sense of intensity.
3. The character reveals too many little flaws, despite a really exciting climactic end.

Overall: An ever so slightly flawed Odin this that took away his terrifying edge.

Manger Musikklag, Dr. Robert Childs, 7

1. Wicked stuff – a real sense of evil intent and so premeditated too. The detail is so clearly on view. Chillingly precise.
2. Cold, dark and mysterious. Real drama in the runes and the persistent sense of foreboding.
3. Drama and colour. Enjoyable but frightening in its full blooded execution.

Overall: A true x-rated portrait delivered with real visceral intensity. A cracker!

Molde Brass Band, Nigel Boddice, 6

1. A well defined touch of menace – neat, precise and well paced. You get what you ordered here – an authentic brawler.
2. Less sure footed but well set out. Mystic runes are rolled a bit slowly at times but Odin gets the message.
3. Not really sinister or dark enough but the deliberate approach is still persuasive despite poor entries. (or not at all in some cases)

Overall: Plenty to admire but it didn’t quite pack the punch of a true nasty heavyweight.

Krohnengen Brass Band, Ray Farr, 5

1. A much more deliberate sense of malevolence – studied and steady but with an occasional sharp edge. Just overstated a touch in places.
2. It’s laid on with a stern hand this. Very darkly hued – almost harsh. Lacks a touch of the mystical.
3. Hard edged but effective – a touch one dimensional to really thrill very engaging.

Overall: An overtly edgy portrait this – a callous Odin. In need of slightly more rounded feel. A good one though.

Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, Nicholas J. Childs, 4

1. A real heavyweight. Nasty, dark, edgy and sinister, almost hateful in intensity. Compelling.
2. Such intensity of spirit and execution. This is a blackly sinister reflection by Odin — right to the depths of the soul. It really grips.
3. Real menace and spitefulness all the way to a breathtaking climax. Great playing.

Overall: Tremendous stuff — a real portrait of a tortured soul. A thrilling performance.

Jaren Hornmusikkforening, Helge Haukås, 3

1. A stylish sense of menace this – almost tasteful. A sharp suited Odin – it just lacks the real sinister nastiness needed for us.

2. Again – stylish approach seeks the mystical qualities. The runes are in Jaren’s favour.

3. Light and playful – it draws deeper to the dark side for a forceful ending.

Overall: A highly enjoyable interpretation – a modern twist on a very old fable.

Ila Brass Band, Thomas Rimul, 2

1. Strong, purposeful and with a sense of malevolence. Sharp edge to playing too even is a touch scrappy at times.

2. A touch mystic in accuracy but the reading of the runes is tinged with a sense of foreboding.

3. Execution doesn't quite match the ambition, but it's a forceful finale.

Overall: A reading of character and purposeful intent if a little wayward at times

Tertnes Brass, Bjørn Breistein, 1

1. A light, almost playful menace in opening movement, but there is a dark undercurrent too.

2. Plenty of soul searching in the runes. Richly lyrical second section.

3. A slightly awkward descent to the final climatic end — just lacks for real drama.

Overall: A pretty good marker just in need of a darker, more sinister feel.