The European Championship’s return to The Netherlands for the first time since 2012 was an overwhelmingly positive experience for all who travelled to the city of Utrecht.
A welcoming atmosphere, excellent organisation and a compact venue made for an outstanding festival – the focal point, the Escheresque Grote Zaal concert hall with its geometrically vertiginous seating that made for an uniquely intimate contest environment for the competing bands.
Memorable performances
They in turn responded with a host of memorable performances - many of which are captured on this double CD of highlights (there is also an accompanying DVD).
It’s a fine selection box; from the enthusiastic energy of the European Youth Band to the commanding excellence of Cory’s set-test performance of ‘Time for Outrage!’ and Valaisia’s forensically brilliant own-choice ‘The Turing Test’, which sealed their title-winning triumph.
The inclusion of ‘Perihelion: Closer to the Sun’ by French champion Hauts-de-France, which came runner-up in the own-choice discipline, will certainly get a few tongues wagging - especially as in the judge’s opinion it topped Eikanger’s sumptuous rendition of ‘Partita’ and Cory’s flamboyant ‘Jazz’.
That though is the great attraction of the European event - and of this trigger-mechanism CD of musical memories; especially for those lucky enough to have relished first hand that febrile Saturday afternoon battle.
That though is the great attraction of the European event - and of this trigger-mechanism CD of musical memories; especially for those lucky enough to have relished first hand that febrile Saturday afternoon battle.
Worthy champions
There also is a great deal to enjoy in recalling the confident maturity of the Italian Brass Band with a fine rendition of ‘Mystic Echoes’ in once again claiming the Challenge Section honours, whilst there are title winning performances to savour from Wardle Academy Youth and Youth Brass 2000 - both the most worthy of European Champions.
As always, hard-nosed contest aficionados may grumble that there isn’t more to hear from the top Championship Section contenders.
However, the concert items from the European Youth Band and Eikanger Bjorsvik, as well as the solo features from the superb Capella de la Torre ensemble, K.O. Brass!, Adam Rapa and the stunning young marimba player Skage Rolheim with Tasta Skolkorps gives the CD welcome balance.
And in terms of that and much, much more, Utrecht was a wonderful success.
Iwan Fox
To Purchase: http://www.worldofbrass.com/100161-group.html
Playlist:
CD 1:
1. Temple 125 (Kevin Larsson)
European Youth Brass Band
2. Mystic Echoes (Hendrik de Boer)
Italian Brass Band
3. Partita (1st movement) (Philip Sparke)
European Youth Brass Band
4. Ivory Ghosts (Gavin Higgins)
European Youth Brass Band
5. Valerius Variations (Philip Sparke)
Wardle Academy Youth Band
6. Pretty Drugged Fairy (Romain Bly)
K.O.Brass! and European Youth Brass Band
7. Dark Abyss (Fredrick Schjelderup)
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
8. Sugaria (Eric Sammut arr. Reid Gilje)
Soloist: Skage Rollheim with Tasta Skolekorps
9. The Turing Test (Simon Dobson)
Valaisia Brass Band
CD 2:
1. Fanfare and Flourishes (James Curnow)
Wardle Academy Youth Band
2. Perihelion: Closer to the Sun (Philip Sparke)
Hauts-de-France Brass Band
3. Pavana/Galiarda (Anthony Holborne)
Capella de la Torre
4. The Long Way Home (Paul McGhee)
Youth Brass 2000
5. Chaucer's Tunes (Peter Graham)
Youth Brass 2000
6. Oblivion (Astor Piazzolla)
Soloist: Adam Rapa with Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
7. La Muerte del Angel (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
8. Time for Outrage! (Marco Pütz adpt. Paul McGhee)
Cory Band
