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2014 4BR Awards — CD/DVD of the Year

It is becoming ever more difficult for brass bands to come up with recordings that justify their high price. However a few did just that and more in 2014.

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

Abaddon
Noord-Limburgse Brass Band
Conductor: Ivan Meylemans
Soloists: David Thornton, Peter Houben, Lode Smeets
Sterling CD Recording: LME2014
Total Playing Time: Approx 76 mins

Described by the 4BR Editor as a release that confirms Noord-Limburgse and their MD as a musical partnership of significant heavyweight musical substance and enjoyment.

Bold, darkly engrossing and played with a delicious sense of musicality from all involved.


Gaia

Gaia Symphony
Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Conductor: Andreas Hanson
BIS Recordings: BIS: BIS2061
Total Playing Time: 81.09

It’s already picked up major CD awards from British Bandsman and Brass Band World magazine, and richly deserved they are to.  

The playing is exceptional, but it is the breadth and scope of the interpretations from Andreas Hanson that puts it in a different sphere of accomplishment to other ensemble releases this year.


Manger

Mangernetisk! - The Music of Martin Winter
Manger Musikklag
Conductor: Martin Winter
Soloists: Rinat Arzumov, Anne Britt Hermansen, Randi Holm, Birgitte Bjornsdatter Bruget
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD 322
Total Playing Time: 74.22

It may be something completely different, but ‘Mangernetisk!’ is also one of the most enjoyable brass band CDs you will get to hear for quite some time.

In equal parts endlessly clever and creative - the music making is infused with an added pinch of acerbic wit that comes from a musician who has the visionary mindset of a Terry Gilliam in his most inspired Baron von Munchhausen directional mode.


Triumph of Time

The Triumph of Time 
Black DykeConductor: Prof Nicholas Childs
Soloists: Zoe Hancock, Katrina Marzella
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD337
Total Playing Time: Approx 66 mins

Something of a musical anthology that can be traced back to Peter Graham’s first European set work, ‘Essence of Time’ in Falkirk 25 years ago - leading to his latest ‘The Triumph of Time’ in Perth this year.

The quality of the performances (both ensemble and solo) is undeniable, whilst the MD shapes the music with such tasteful malleability - balancing melodic lyricism with razor sharp bravura technique.


CoryTransmogrifying Brass
Cory
Conductor: Philip Harper
Soloist: Steve Stewart
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD337
Total Playing Time: Approx 70 mins

An outstanding release that sums up the musical ambition and mind set of Philip Harper and Cory.

It’s bravura playing from start to finish - technically stunning and always musically interesting - even if it does raise a few eyebrows at times. That’s a good thing though as it gives you something else to think about whilst catching your breath.  



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.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

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