Elite Section

Adjudicators: Catherine Winnes, Maurice Hamers
[Jan van der Roost is not adjudicating as per programme]

Set Work: Rococo Variations – Edward Gregson
Friday 6th February

What do we think?

There were only three bands in it here today for us. Manger got us off to a super start before Eikanger showed their class. We had to wait a while before Stavanger upped the ante again. It's Stavanger, from Manger and then Eikanger for us. Krohnengen should take fourth or maybe Olso. After that? It was poor.

1. Stavanger
2. Manger
3. Eikanger
4. Krohnengen
5. Oslo
6. Perm 1 from 5...

Live comments:

Time: 2120
Molde Brass Band, Garry Cutt, 10

he little Master is in the mood, but hesitency is just robbing a neatly laid out picture. Each of the characters of the composers is heard to fine, if slightly clipped effect. Loses its way at times with uneven execution — it does detract. Just runs out of breath to end.

Overall: A very fine reading, but not quite matched by the playing. Brave effort though!

Time: 2050
Stavanger Brass Band, Allan Withington, 9

At last — style! It's not without errors, but we get to ear all the differences — big and small in character. The odd sloppy moment or two, but there's drama and passion. You old romantic Allan! Great fugue and whoppee time to end!

Overall: The passion tap was turned on at full flow. Brilliantly coloured performance — not without error, but so what?

Time: 2020
Oslo Brass Band, Frode Amundsen, 8

Not always perfect but a very persuasive, relaxed musicality this. THere is flow and character even if it's brittle. An odd one this — you hear errors but it is the music that wins through — all the way to the exciting bomper of an end.

Overall: Another one this that reflects the MD — stylish and brave, if ever so misplaced. Likeable though.

Time: 1950
Jaren Hornmusikkforening, Helge Haukås, 7

A very loosely structured reading. Lots of musical character but the rough edgesare clearly audible. Old Helge enjoys himself and it's vibrant stuff, but ensemble is AWOL at times. Great music making but the mistakes will surely cost — right to te end.

Overall: A typical Helge Haukas reading. Enjoyable but oh so flawed at times. A performance in need of more discipline for us.

Time 1920
Sandefjord Brass Symposium, Michael Antrobus, 6

All a touch indulgent perhaps? Light textures but very idiosyncratic. A safe as wearing stilletos on the Bergen ice in places. So lacks consistency in execution that musically it doesn't gel. Uneven to the end.

Overall: A real hotch potch of styles, textues and ideas — few of which really worked for us.

Time: 1830
Oslofjord Brass, Armin Renggli, 5

A rose tinted view of Rococoland this. You've got to have the basics in place first. We applaud the mition but not the execution. It's flawed too often. The fine playing lacks polish. Decent finish to pretty average performance.

Overall: An ambitious reading that came over technically dyslexic at times. A pity, but the errors and slips will surely hurt.

Time: 1800
Krohnengen Brass Band, Ray Farr, 4

Broad and spacious with a true feel for the musical characters — from Ball to Heaton and wilby. Great musical approach but technically not always secure. Bold and dramatic portrait just losing value with the little errors. Big old finish.

Overall: A real rococo feel, just spoilt by too many roughened edges.

Time: 1730
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, Dr Nicholas Childs, 3

A much more academic approach — the heart is there but not on the sleeve. Well defined characters are clearly drawn and executed. Impressively secure this — although we get the odd moment or two. Perhaps it needs more emotional input, but technically hard to fault — especially the fugue. Great storming finish.

Overall: A very fine performance ruled by the head and not the heart. Not unbeatable though.

Time: 1700
Ila Brass Band, Thomas Rimul, 2

A much less romantic approach this — as warm as a dead man's hand at times. All very prosaic — if decently played. It's lack lack of defined character that kills this. Never quite catches fire to end. A missed opportunity this.

Overall: Unfortunately this Rococo lacked the variations needed to really work. OK but nothing more.

Time: 1630
Manger Musikklag, Peter Szilvay, 1

Real orchestral romanticism — laid on with a trowel, but it's lovely stuff. Super soloists too — no weak spots to detract from such a bold musical picture. Great ride for home — all bells and whistles. Huge climax. Wowee!

Overall: What an adventurous performance — the broadest musical brush strokes but such a clear portrait.