Highlights of the 2010 European Brass Band Championships
16-Dec-2010The sound of music - Austrian style. A double dose of highlights from the European Championships in Linz, from Cory to Gansch and much, much more...
DVD Highlights of the 2010 European Brass Band Championships
The Brucnkerhaus
Linz, Austria
Total Playing Time: Approx 2 hours
The European Brass Band Championships is the banding world’s premiere showcase event – and deserves it posterity on both CD and DVD.
The highlights of the festival are now captured in fine style, and although you do get some duplication on the differing formats, it’s not a question of one for the price of two.
Cleverly, the producers have ensures there is a more than enough good quality playing to go around - so if you want to hear Eikanger's interpretation of 'Spiriti' then the DVD is what you want, but if you want to hear their own choice selection, it's on the CD.
Despite brass band contesting not being the most visually stimulating of genres, the producers have done a pretty remarkable job to keep the viewers interest on this DVD.
Impressively produced
The double release from the Brucknerhaus in Linz covers just about all aspects of the event, with DVD 1 focusing on the competitions and Gala Concert whilst DVD 2 showcases more from the Gala Concert and the Farewell Concert.
Champion performance
Cory’s performance of Wilby's 'Into the Light' is neatly supported by visual images of Linz before the champions present their winning rendition of the set work, 'Spiriti' by Thomas Doss.
It’s stunning playing of a work that leaves you almost breathless.
Strangely, the adjudicators were not left in the same state of ecstasy as most of the audience were at the conclusion of Black Dyke’s performance of ‘Red Priest’.
Dyke finished fourth overall, and whilst the theatrics of the choreographed performance do somewhat detract at times on this recording, it is still an almighty impressive bit of contesting work.
The musical treats continue with a magnificent performance by Brass Band Oberosterreich of, 'From Ancient Times', a rip roaring rendition of 'Earthrise' by Brass Band Buizingen and an enjoyable performance of the intriguingly titled, 'Up my Alley', from the impressive B Section winners, Austrian Brass Band.
The European King
The Europeans wouldn't be 'The Europeans' without David King and there is a treat in store with him leading Eikanger-Bjorsvik.
The Norwegians had to be content with the runners up position overall, but their performance of 'Spiriti', more than justifies a repeat on the first DVD.
The final musical word though goes to Cory and another world premier performance of Philip Sparke's 'A Tale as Yet Untold'. It is nothing short of superb.
Worth it on its own
The second DVD features sixteen individual performances from Cory, the Austrian and European Youth Bands and Brass Band Oberosterreich from the Gala and Farewell concerts.
The Austrian audience relishes the opportunity to be entertained in fine style and there is some excellent music to be heard - none more so than that from the legend that is, Hans Gansch
His performance of the 'Concert in D Minor' by Marcello played on piccolo trumpet is playing of the rarest class – and is worth the purchase price of the DVD on its own.
Great value
With added interviews from British Bandsman's inaugural live coverage of the event with the leading personalities involved and informative programme notes by Rodney Newton, Frank Renton guides you through the 2010 Europeans with his usual professional charm
The post-production process deserves a nod of appreciation to Richard Scott and Adam Goldsmith whose expertise enhances this value for money production.
Malcolm Wood
