Norwegian Brass Band Championships 2004

Highlights of the Norwegian Brass Band Championship 2004
Various bands
Doyen Recordings CD175
Total playing time 2 hours 28.33

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This is another of those discs that is eagerly awaited once a competition has concluded.  The Norwegian Championships are one of the many highlights of the banding calendar and Doyen have acknowledged it by recording the event for prosperity once again, and to give those who weren't present the opportunity to listen to some really fine playing across the five sections.

The mix of music on offer is challenging to the listener, and amounts to a very enjoyable couple of hours, but its perhaps sensible to listen in small bursts rather than one long sitting.  Music from Bourgeois (Concerto No.1 for Brass Band Op 44), Ellerby (Chivalry) George Lloyd & Philip Wilby is balanced by Inspiration by Jan de Hann and a new composition from Norwegian, Dag Egil Njaa entitled 'Exergy Re-Revisited'

The two outstanding highlights of the release are the opening items on each individual disc.   First up is the performance of the set work, 'Graffiti' by Knut Vaage, played by the eventual winners, Stavanger, conducted by Professor David King.  The work defines the composer's rebellious youth, before maturity in adulthood.  It is a fascinating work, contemporary, and test's bands technically as well as musically.  Professor King certainly pulls the best out of Stavanger and the energy that the MD transmits to the players is certainly apparent on this recording.  There is some great playing from around the stands, and the percussion accompaniment is well balanced with the rest of the band.  Unfortunately for any Stavanger/King fans, that's thier only contribution to the disc, and its a real pity that thier own choice 'Masquerade' isn't included, especially as they won the own choice competition.

The second 'highlight' is the own choice work from Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, 'Concerto No 1 for Brass Band Opus 44' by Derek Bourgeios.  It is a cracking performance and listen out for some great soprano playing from Frode Rydland.  Reid Gilje certainly directs a performance that is 'edge of the seat' stuff at times, with a thrilling final movement (The War March of the Ostriches) and it rightly deserves inclusion on this release. It was a brave choice for such a contest, but for this reviewer it was one that really came off.

Illa Brass Band presented 'Exergy Re-Revisited' by Dag Egnil Njaa.  Specially commissioned for the competition, it comes across as three mini-pieces rolled into one, and certainly different, it is nevertheless enjoyable listening.  The 4BR representatives said that it was 'something we would have to hear a few more times before we could say whether it was a inspired choice', so now is the chance for them and everybody else to have a good listen and see what they think.

Away from the Elite Division, this double-CD has some fine performances from the other four divisions.  Sola Brass under Steve Bastable (a man making a name for himself in the world of banding) give a convincing performance of Martin Ellerby's 'Chivalry' - just one of a number of performances that will have you pressing the 'repeat 'button.  One point behind Sola on the day was Radøy Brass (Gareth Pritchard) who gave an enjoyable reading of Lloyd's 'Diversions on a Bass Theme'.

The listener gets the chance to compare Leslie Condon's 'The Present Age' with two performances being given by Vennesla Kristne Brass (David Tellefsen) and Haukås Musikklag Thor-Arne Pedersen - winners of Divisions 2 and 3 respectively.

A competition of this stature wouldn't be complete without some Philip Wilby appearing somewhere.  Across the sections Dr Wilby's music was performed on nine occasions, and featured is Lowry Sketchbook performed by Oslo Brass Band (Sverre Stakston Olsrud).  The band was one point behind Vennesla Kristne Brass in the Second Division and on this recording the finale movement (Peel Park) certainly stands out.

The music of Gilbert Vinter receives two welcome performances.  Variations on a Ninth was used as the British Open Test piece in 1981 - the last ever Open at Belle Vue and was won on the day by City of Coventry under Major A. Kenney. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) won the Fourth Section and the band's principal cornet demonstrates why they took the solo prize and the euphonium player is impressive in the infamous solo passage.

The other Vinter offering is his Symphony of Marches that was performed by Skodje Ungdomskorps (Henrik Dalhaug) runners up in the third division.

The final track is Jan de Haan's 'Inspiration' performed by the runners up in the Fourth Division, Jølster Musikklag (Arvid Anthun).  The performance certainly won approval from the audience, and it's definitely one of those pieces of music that needs to be heard more than once to get a real feel for the music.

Without doubt, another high quality recording from the Doyen team led by producer, Alison Childs. If you've invested in discs such as Highlights from the Europeans, and Kings of Europe, to name just two, this is a must for you.  It's an enthralling listen of over two hours of serious but enjoyable music making, from a competition that is enjoyed by all involved.  I, for one am looking forward to the 2005 release already.

Malcolm Wood

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