The 4th European Composers Competition:

Result

1. Bertrand Moren
2. Ludovic Neurorh
3. Kevin Houben

Kevin Houben won the audience and band choice awards.

Winnner

Swiss composer Bertrand Moren has won the 4th European Composers Competition at the Kursaal in Ostend.

His piece, 'Visions' found favour with the three adjudicators to take the 2,500 Euro first prize, although it was Belgian Kevin Houben who won both the Audience and Band Choice prizes, although he finished third overall.

Featured finalists

The four featured finalists tonight are: Bertrand Moren — 'Visions'; Kevin Houben — 'Rain'; Ludovic Neurohr — 'Whirl' and Valdas Stanaitis — 'E-Motion'.

The contest is due to start at 8.00pm BST.

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'Rain' — Kevin Houben

A very impressive and confidently portrayed work this. From the initial drips of ideas through to the Monsoon belter that takes its inspiration from a catastrophic 16th Century downpour in Belgium.

Gets very cinematic and then a touch odd. Don't know if everyone was washed away or if they all lived happily ever after. Enjoyable though and a great starter.

'Visions' — Bertrand Moren

A very competent and colourful bit of filmatic scoring this. It's all bells and whistles and exciting, but you wonder what visions Mr Moren has in his particular head.

He needs a good night's sleep it seems, as his old noggin is racing ten to the dozen with every trick in the book. Interesting though.

'E-Motion' — Valdas Stantaitis

A study of the relationship between e commerce love and true hands on passion — hence 'e' motion and emotion.

Great idea, but too short, sweet, uncomplicated and a little naive. Surely love is more complex than this?

'Whirl' — Ludovic Neurorh

Like this. Very odd stuff, but original and fresh. Short and sweet, but full of clever little ideas that really is a whirl of fun and games.

Perhaps not the most polished, but certainly the most interesting one for us.

More from the band now and then the results.

The audience has a vote to chose their favourites, but the judges Jan Van der Roost, Rob Goorhuis and Ray Farr will have the final decision to make.

A really enjoyable start to the Championship this.

European Youth Band

Spoke too soon!

The European Youth Band are taking an eternity to play their second half of the concert. 2 hours gone now and no end in sight...

At last. After some pretty average European Youth Band playing the results won't be long (we hope)

Highlight was playing of Lin Chin-Chen on Marimba (especially with 6 sticks), but band are poor in their items. 'Resurgam' was sloppy and 'Jewish Wake' sounded like Riverdance meets Hava Nagila — Rivernagila!

Firebird to end never caught a spark let alone a blaze. This has gone on far too long...

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