Saturday 3 May
Stavanger Concert Hall
Commences: 1200hrs
Own choice works

Adjudicators:
David King, England (Australia)
Jens T. Larsen, Norway
Jan van der Roost, Belgium

Official results to be announced later this evening at approximately 2200hrs local time.

What do we think?

What a fabulous day this has been. No doubt about the highlight – the Austrians by a substantial margin – they were simply in a different league. Behind them its so much close with a flick of a coin between Willebroek and Cory and then Stavanger, Fribourg and Grimethorpe.

4BR Own Choice prediction:

1. Oberoesterreich
2. Willebroek
3. Cory
4. Stavanger
5. Fribourg
6. Grimethorpe

That means overall then it is a tight one, but Cory to take the title on the basis of them winning the set work and doing just enough today. Behind them come Willebroek then Oberoesterreich, Grimethorpe, Fribourg and Stavanger.

Overall Prediction:

1. Cory
2. Willebroek
3. Oberoesterreich
4. Grimethorpe
5. Fribourg
6. Stavanger

Live comments:

Brass Band Fribourg, Switzerland, 11
Conductor: Arsene Duc
Vienna Nights, Philip Wilby

Sharp and accurate opening leads to lovely Mozart interjections to the Wilby fireworks. There’s some real quality moments – sop in particular, but also some real X-rated horror bits too. Recovers through sop and fine tuba leads. Lots of good stuff follows with finely projected duets and ensemble features. Not quite the Turkish overdrive but very clean and controlled, right to a very satisfying end.

Overall: A very managed account of quality. It had a few nasty moments, but a good effort.

Cory, Wales, 10
Conductor: Dr. Robert Childs
Music for Battle Creek, Philip Sparke

Precision start leads into uneven cadenza – well played but the part splitting between solo cornet and rep (3 times) is noticeable. Ensemble after this is of a high class. Minor blips are evident but a great slow movement develops magically. Great 3rd man solo and euph as it builds to a huge climax. Tour de force stuff in the jazz section. Trom excels – now it is in overdrive. Great ensemble playing to the end.

Overall: A tremendous effort to try and secure the title.

Brass Band De Waldsang, Netherlands, 9
Conductor: Rieks van der Velde
Music for Battle Creek, Philip Sparke

Confident start leads into a slightly strained duet cadenza. Edgy this. Recovers though and there is plenty to admire although it does sound harsh at times. This doesn’t move the heart in the slow section – it’s very workmanlike, despite it all being in the right place. Struggles in the jazz section – a real mess at times. Very harsh and sloppy this. This has fallen away unfortunately.

Overall: Had promise but the piece defeated a brave attempt to master it. Final section will have cost them dearly.

Brass Band Willebroek, Belgium, 8
Conductor: Frans Violet
Music for Battle Creek, Philip Sparke

Precise opening leads to a tremendous double cadenza from solo cornet and euph. Rock solid. All the technical hurdles are overcome with such ease and clarity. The musical shape is deliciously laid out though – a real musician at the helm. The players all respond too – bravo! Just loses focus in places but this is playing of the highest class. What a fantastic sound yet a slightly subdued ending.

Overall: A tour de force piece and a tour de force performance enhanced by a great reading by the MD.

Stavanger, Norway, 7
Conductor: Garry Cutt
Music of the Spheres, Philip Sparke

Fantastic horn opening leads into sections of highly polished playing – real high class this. There really is a great deal of top-notch playing on show despite the odd little moment of unease. Plenty of fizzing asteroids and shooting stars make for a heady mix. Great stuff. The final hymn has real majesty and breadth. The quality is displayed in full – right to the huge end.

Overall: An exceptional performance this of the highest class. A real tour de force brought off with élan!

Brass Band Lyngby Taarbaek, Denmark, 6
Conductor: Christian Schmiedescamp
Apocalypse, Derek Bourgeois

It’s all death and destruction but not as perhaps as detailed and cohesive as it should be at times. Plenty of solo elements but overall it is yet to really gel musically – the technical aspects are somewhat overbearing. The lack of dynamic contrast really does hurt the senses at times. It becomes very, very harsh and little detail is heard. Strangely unexciting despite the volume.

Overall: Perhaps we missed the point on this one but this was something that didn’t register with us at all.

Brass Band Buizingen, Belgium, 5
Conductor: Luc Vertommen
Concerto Grosso, Derek Bourgeois

Precise opening leads to secure euph and tuba cadenzas. All good stuff without ever really thrilling you. Lacks precise control at times. Bluesy feel is well portrayed but there is fragility on display too. Moments of extended class but not enough. Fine flugel cadenza leads to neat close. The rumba is all a bit academic though – lacking wit. Fine ending rounds things off with purpose.

Overall: Another decent effort on a very difficult work but it lacked the drama and caustic wit to really make it come off – even if at times it held the promise.

Stockholm, Sweden, 4
Conductor: Kent Jonsson
The Year of the Dragon, Philip Sparke

Bold but error strewn this. The good playing is outshone by really sloppy stuff. Scrappy and a little unconvincing. Movement 2 – high class trombone is undermined by sloppy ensemble. Fine chorale is so well shaped and delivered. Neatly closed off too. Final movement – lots of semis are not heard but it’s bold and exciting right through to the end despite obvious flaws.

Overall: A decent effort on a piece that really stretched the band to the limit and sometimes beyond.

Oberoesterreich Brass Band, Austria, 3
Conductor: Hans Buchegger
Dreams, Bertrand Moren

Wow! A nightmare it is supposed to be — this was X-rated stuff – quite brilliant stuff this. Super troms – solo cornet and other leads are awesome. Day Dreams is full of exhibition playing of the highest class with drama and purpose. Both solo and ensemble is immense. What a trombone! Visions of something beyond mere more mortal players this! Simply breathtaking. My oh my!

Overall: Hard to describe the brilliance. A sheer musical experience of the rarest quality!

Kirkintilloch, Scotland, 2
Conductor: Howard Taylor
Music of the Spheres, Philip Sparke

Superb opening from horn is prelude to some confident and vibrant playing. Some of the inner detail is lost but it oozes character. Lots to admire even if there are occasional small lapses. Fizzing asteroids are a touch splashy but all this is exciting stuff. Bravo sop! Final section starts to tire in places, but again it is exciting. Just a touch messy to close but great purpose.

Overall: A fine performance of a very difficult work. Colourful and vibrant if just a little tired to end.

Grimethorpe Colliery, England, 1
Conductor: Allan Withington
Vienna Nights, Philip Wilby

Solos and secure to start and this leads into delicate Mozart and vibrant Wilby episodes. Odd clips but so much detail and character. Thrill a minute stuff with odd hairy moment too! Great sop and tuba and baritone leading voices. Fabulous sense of style but it's clippy in places. The Turkish romp is simply amazing. My word! What a finish — simply breathtaking.

Overall: A fantastic performance not without noticeable clips though. It's beatable.