Best Instrumentalist: Stephen Sykes (trombone) — Ebbw Valley Brass
Grand ShieldSaturday 11, 18:40:40
Grand Shield:
4BR round up and prediction:
It's been a fascinating day in the Grand Shield, marked by a high standard of performance on a piece that tested every element of the bands, both musically and technically.
We have heard some fine soloists, a myriad of interpretative approaches and a handful of performances that have truly succeeded in capturing the powerful emotions that lie behind the music.
For us there is one performance that bulky stood out, but it is a close battle indeed for 2nd and 3rd places, meaning that there is going to considerable excitement in about half an hour's time when the audience gathers in the opera House for the results.
Hard one to call here in the Senior Cup as no one really mastered Philip Wilby's hugely detailed yet passionately written score.
The best for us came close though, with Amersham's approach today the one that could well pip Stannington and Wantage with Thundersley and Dalmellington and Elland making up our top six.
Solo cornet recovers from a slight blip on the first note and what follows unfolds gently and with suitable warmth and innocence.
'In Cold Blood' displays abundant rhythmic vigour, with the underlying running passages heard beneath the surface with clarity. The onward propulsion of this sweeps us along and and its a real collective effort that finds us reaching the Moderato con grandezza in majestic style.
Off stage cornets are effective leading into 'In Memoriam'. Trombones are not always completely as one, but there is so much to admire here, with sensitivity in the solo lines and a genuine intent to find the quieter dynamics of the score to maximum musical effect.
'A New Day' just needs a little more razor sharp precision and collective bite and it loses its way a little here as the demands on the ensemble take their toll. Tired embouchures also take their toll at times but the band draws on its reserves to give us a high octane ending.
Christopher Thomas
Senior CupSaturday 11, 18:23:07
Senior Cup:
20. Elland Silver (Dr Brett Baker)
The contest is rounded off with two real bompers — with Elland following Amersham with a raw, boldly drawn approach that was played with gallons of self confidence — right from the start with an Angel sending his message to be heard from Blackpool to Bombay.
Colourful, wayward, exciting, joyful, vibrant etc etc. One heck of a Sunday morning church service that.
Great inner detail on show despite the generous volume allowance — but also so well shaped and moulded by the MD. A later runner that made its mark that.
Iwan Fox
Senior CupSaturday 11, 18:18:03
Senior Cup:
19. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
Well now — that was a little different and may well tickle the fancy of the judges.
Bold, brazen even in places, but so confident and delivered with such a defined purpose.
The tone was set at the start and never wavered. It wasn't the most subtle in the louder dynamics, but it was razor sharp and had such a great swaggering style — all Jesus in Armani cheese cloth and Balenciaga sandals.
So much to keep you engaged and interested — from OTT motifs to the side drum at the close hammering cold steel rivets.
It wasn't subtle — but so what — it was joyous and crucially very musical in its shaping, pacing and eventual triumphant closure.
The New Jerusalem built by Frank Gehry that. May not be to everyone's Church of England taste but it will have packed the pews.
One for the judges to really think about.
Iwan Fox
Advertisement
Grand ShieldSaturday 11, 18:07:09
Grand Shield:
19. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
There is a touching simplicity to the evocation of Innocence that opens the performance, led beautifully by solo cornet and with solo euphonium adding to the picture.
The rapid cornet interjections are accurately negotiated and 'In Cold Blood' launches in graphic fashion — resolute, grimly threatening and with abundant energy and detail. The contrast with the Moderato can grandezza that follows is highly effective with off stage cornets deftly leading into 'In Memoriam'.
This is imbued with a darkly intoned pathos by the trombones, with solo euphonium, followed by solo cornet, both adding eloquently to the sense of loss. Again there is a touching, aching simplicity about this that gets to the emotional core of the music.
Excellent trombones to open 'A New Day' and this is hurtling along with energy, but also impressive levels of detail and transparency.
The pacing is well judged and again, the admirable levels of clarity continue to what is a blazing final statement. This has been a determined Rothwell with the bit between its collective musical teeth.
Sunday 15 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH
September 12 • Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving community band. We enjoy making music and have a good gig schedule. An opportunity has arisen for the right person to join our Principal Cornet Ed as co-principal. Are you up for the challenge?This is our only vacancy.
September 11 • Required: We are a friendly 2nd section band in Essex. We are in need of a Tenor Horn (position negotiable) and a Kit player. We have our own band room and full percussion is provided
September 9 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a front row cornet player to be part of their exciting and vibrant team. With a wide range of contests and concerts, excellent rehearsal facilities and an active social life, do get in touch!
