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2014 4BR Awards — Test Piece of the Year

Lots and lots of test pieces were performed in 2014 — some better than others it must be said. So which one was the best of the bunch though?

The nominations from the 4BR team for consideration are...

Oliver Waespi

As if a voice were in them (Oliver Waespi)

The set piece for the top section bands at the Swiss National Championship was a masterful new work of musical maturity from the increasingly influential Swiss composer.

Inspired by a 19th century Wordsworth poem, Waespi captured the elemental majesty, mystery and sheer force of nature that can be found amid the sublime beauty of the Alpine Simplon Pass.  

It is music that gives the brass band the opportunity to express itself in a modern way without losing the essential connection to its traditional tonal textures.


rOBERT sIMPSON

Energy (Robert Simpson)

Over 40 years now since it was first performed, Simpson’s remarkable composition still retains its cutting edge of cerebral difficulty - despite being derived from the simplest of thematic ideas.   

The ability of a MD to increase the pace of the music incrementally without discernible loss of underlying momentum remains an amazingly troublesome thing to do - as was shown at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship this year.  

‘Energy’ was the perfect antidote to the crass, under developed musical bling we were injected with throughout much of 2014.


Simon Dobson 

Journey of the Lone Wolf (Simon Dobson)

Dobson’s evocative work (used at the Belgian Nationals amongst others) was one of the musical delights of 2014 - and deservedly won him his second British Composer Award. 

It was a darkly edged portrait of Bela Bartok’s musical, social and political inspirations, and took the listener on a melancholic trip into the psyche of a much misunderstood composer - from the early folk music explorations, to his lonely time in America and his ultimate, sad death: A man of complex emotions, difficult relationships but undoubted genius.


Stphan Hodel

The Legend of Curupira (Stephan Hodel)

And now for something completely different; a red headed, alcohol swilling, cacked legged, pig riding, eco-warrior Brazilian dwarf.

Hodel’s First Section work at the Swiss Nationals was packed with colour, excitement, mystery, mayhem and sheer unadulterated joyfulness. It asked questions of style and musicianship, of wit and interpretation - all ending up in a samba inspired finale that left everyone in the hall - players and audiences alike - with huge smiles of satisfaction on their faces.


Ed de Boer

Vita Aeterna Variations (Ed de Boer)

A musical triumph in all senses of the word. Not just because the British Open organisers picked it, but they did so knowing it was such a lengthy and demanding work that could only be truly mastered by the very best bands in the world.

Beautifully constructed and developed from a simple theme, De Boer never resorted to artifice or effect; no single bar wasted in the pursuit of its ultimate musical goal.  As a result, the very best bands at Symphony Hall did a magnificent brass band work, full justice.



Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Boarshurst Silver Band

February 17 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a BBb player, flugel, and front row cornet player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday.


Mid Rhondda Band

February 14 • Mid Rhondda Band are looking for the following players : Front Row Cornet, Solo Trombone, Eb Bass, Kit and Tuned Percussionists. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section at the Welsh Area. Contest & concert engagements in the diary for 2025


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

February 13 • Reading Band (current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables) needs a TENOR HORN for the regional contest in Stevenage on 15th March! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings with our MD Stephen Bucknell.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

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