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2004 Norwegian National Championships
Grieghallen,
Bergen
February 13th - 15th
Elite Division
Here are our live comments for each of the 'own choice' performances
Elite division
Dommere/Adjudicators:
Jens T. Larson, Henrik Vagn Christensen og Isabelle Ruf-Weber
Commences: 14.30
Trekning/Draw:
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, Reid Gilje, 1, 14.30
Concerto No. 1 for Brass Band, Opus 44 - Derek Bourgeois
This band has set the standard for the day with an extremely high level of performance.
This is an impressive band with great soloists. The choice of music suited them
down to the ground. The character of the music was portrayed superbly - and the
MD should take great credit for a well directed show. There were moments where
the emsemble was a little questionable but this didn't detract from a quite amazing
performance.
Krohnengen Brass Band, Ray Farr, 2, 14.55
Harrison's Dream - Peter Graham
Like yesterday, this band was superbly directed. The tempos were spot on and
this gave the performance an added dimension. What a shame about the slips and
clips that detracted from the overall product. This band has the potential to
pull off a stunning performance, but the last few times we've heard them, they've
somewhat let themselves down - notable exceptions being the back-row cornets.
Well played overall - if a little enthusiatic in places!
Ila Brass Band, Thomas Rimul, 3, 15.20
Exergy Re-Revisited - Dag Egil Njaa
Certainly different this - and difficult for us to judge as we don't know the
score! Interesting to listen to with plenty of colour and timbres. Some scrappy
playing in individual lines and at times the percussion led too forcefully. Bravo
Euph - you impressed us throughout. A difficult one to judge on this one hearing.
An enjoyable experience though - we liked it.
Tertnes Brass, Bjørn Breistein, 4, 15.45
...Dove Descending, Sonata in open tones - Philip Wilby
A brave performance of a very difficult work but undermined by far too many ensemble
and individual errors. All three troms were flat to start! The Nativity was well
shaped but error strewn - a fine effort though from the young euph player. A
rousing final section brought ther performance to a close. An ambitious choice
for a young band, which didn't quite come off.
Oslofjord Brass, Christian Tenfjord, 5, 16.10
Montage - Peter Graham
Montage is a very difficult piece. It was well directed and the band put in an
honest, hardworking performance. Superb solo cornet, but some major tuning issues
around the stand was a shame. The last movement lacked cohesion and became a
little frantic to close. Well done euph though - you did well. A brave choice
and a brave perfomance.
Manger Musikklag, Jesper Juul Sørensen, 6, 16.50
Paganini Variations - Philip Wilby
An exceptionally powerful performance - too powerful and overly aggressive to
start though! Perhaps the dynamic contrast was lost in the pursuit of excitement.
A quite sublime funeral section - oustanding in general - just the odd moment
of unease. Well shaped from then on, but the dynamic contrasts not always observed.
Very exciting stuff - but possiblty at the expense of subtlety. A fine show though.
Jaren Hornmusikkforening, Helge Haukås, 7, 17.15
English Heritage - George Lloyd
Not quite the 'Full English' this - a little too error strewn to qualify as that.
It certainly had fine moments, but time and time again the noticable mistakes
robbed the quality. Fine attempt solo cornet - and basses you are powerful. A
good attempt at an underated work - but it just needed to be more accurate. Helge
- we enjoyed the stick work.
Molde Brass Band, Alan Morrison, 8, 17.40
Concerto Grosso, Opus 61 A - Derek Bourgeois
The second impressive performance from Molde - this time on a very difficult
work. Not everything came off in the solo and ensemble lines, but the vitality
and style was all there; and this was high class playing. Fine, clear direction
from the MD helped things greatly as did a top notch trom player. Right to the
end there was clarity and plenty of panache. A top rate effort from everyone.
Sandefjord Brass Symposium, John Philip Hannevik, 9, 18.05
Apocalypse, Opus 187 - Derek Bourgeois
A real momentous attempt to tame the Bourgeois 'Beast' - It very nearly came
off as well - just tiring before the end as the errors crept in. Great sounds
though, and at the extreme end of the dynamic range. Excellent percussion section
enhanced rather than overwhelmed - as could have easily happened. It just lost
its way at the end for us - but what a fine effort from MD and band.
Stavanger Brass Band, David King, 10, 18.30
Masquerade, Philip Wilby
At absolutely stunning contest winning performance. All the 'King' ingredients
were mixed together with spell-binding effect - complete with a couple of 'enhancements'
in certain areas. The ensemble playing was amazingly compact and the solo lines
(especially Eb tuba and euph) gave memorable accounts. Much was expected but
much, much more was delivered.
Our leaderboard - day 2
This is for the Own Choice Section.
1. Stavanger
2. Eikanger
3. Molde
4. Manger
5. Sandefjord
6. Krohnengen
7. Ila Brass Band
8. Jaren Hornmusikkforening
9. Oslofjord
10. Tertnes
Over all then... for us
1. Stavanger
2. Eikanger Bjorsvik
3. Manger
4. Molde
5. Krohnengen
6. Sandefjord
7. Ila Brass Band
8. Oslofjord
9. Jaren Hornmusikkforening
10. Tertnes
Copyright 4BR
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