First and foremost — what a super piece written by Simon Dobson. 'Thought Gap' is accessible yet challenging with its inventiveness — clever but thoughtful too with the clarity of the writing.
All five MDs caught its essence that balanced darkness, tenderness and joyfulness without going overboard with hubristic tendencies in any element (as the composer gave a warning sign to).
Hope to hear it again soon.
As for a winner?
The Welsh/Swiss press corps are a little divided but not on a potential winner.
The 4BR Editor goes for: 1. Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Florian Lab 2. Brass Band Gurbetal (Joram Bots) 3. MG Ufhusen (Sandro Frautschi)
The BRASS BAND NEWS Editor goes for: 1. Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Florian Lab) 2. Brass Band Zurich (Werner Kubli) 3. Brass Band Gurbetal (Joram Bots)
Saturday 29, 10:35:05
Third Section:
5. MG Ufhusen (Sandro Frautschi)
What has been a cracking start to these 50th anniversary championships is rounded off with the fifth high quality performance of Simon Dobson's ever inventive test-piece, 'Thought Gap'.
And another enjoyable and insightful take it it is too of the score from the MD — allowing the music time and breadth to speak clearly even in its most condensed moments.
A fine, darkly edge opening created atmosphere and pulse, whilst the central section had a lovely, tender flow aide once again by quality lead lines and a sense of peacefulness. Could have just had a bit more of a relaxed sigh to close though. Seemed a bit short of breath!
The finale has such a fine sense of growing adventure without going overboard. The little sprint at the coda was so nicely done to round a high class show of what was a high class contest.
Iwan Fox
Saturday 29, 10:09:52
Third Section:
3. Brass Band Zurich (Werner Kubli) 4. Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Florian Lab)
It is already evident that the standard at this level is good as another brace of bands give performances of stylish substance and understanding.
Zurich are lighter in touch and approach right from the beginning, but soon show they can darken the ensemble sound without losing clarity and atmosphere.
The central section is played with a tender touch too — noticeably by fine solo leads and a cultured ensemble balance. The music sits well with its smooth texturing.
The finale is bubbly and bright — just building nicely to a bold climax without falling foul to hubris as the composer highlighted.
Jurassien B has such a fine sound — built like a pyramid from a big, but not robust tuba section.
The opening therefore has that dark Gothic feel before it moves and fizzes. whilst the central section is played with a lighter texture and contrast. Again, lots to admire with the solo lines and the sense of release when it comes with the exhalation of breath really does capture the moment.
A great finish — drawing in energy and just the right pinch of drama closes things off with a real flourish. Bravo.
Iwan Fox
3. Brass Band Zurich (Werner Kubli) The Zurich musicians choose slightly slower tempos than the previous bands, fully exploring the composer's various moods.
They heighten the drama, making the powerful emotions palpable. The tutti passages shine with a brilliant sound.
No. 4: Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Florian Lab) The young musicians from the canton of Jura show absolutely no shyness and launch into their performance with a bang.
The principal cornet player's pink unicorn mascot proves its worth, successfully guiding the band through Dobson's world of thought. Superb soloists and a spirited trombone section round off the compelling performance.
1. Brass Band Gurbetal (Joram Bots) 2. MG Brass Band Lengnau (Markus Hauenstein)
A fine premiere performance from Brass Band Gurbetal led with neat authority by the MD has certainly laid an impressive marker for rivals to beat.
A darkly atmospheric opening led to a nicely quirky opening section, followed by a confident, lyrical central element of peaceful lucid reflection with fine solo lines — and breathy control.
The finale flowed and fizzed, but always in control. Impressive that.
MG Brass Band Lengnau followed with a fine take on the score by their MD — broad and spacious.
Again, lots to enjoy with the detailing in the opening, dark but not acidic, that led into a nicely portrayed central section that flowed with tenderness aided by confident solo leads and super relaxed breath to close.
The finale was controlled in endeavour, playful and joyful as it got up a nice head of steam for a super finish.
Iwan Fox
1. Brass Band Gurbetal (Joram Bots) The defending champions from the Gurbetal region opened the 50th Swiss Brass Band Competition and under the direction of Joram Bots, seized the opportunity to impress the jury. They projected wonderful sounds into the vast Salle Blanche.
The piece began dramatically, and the musicians skilfully brought out the dynamic effects — they mastered it superbly. The second movement ended with an organized cacophony in the cornets and the audible, collective breathing of the rest of the band. What a fantastic effect!
In a thrilling finale, they asserted their claim to another top spot.
2. MG Brass Band Lengnau (Markus Hauenstein) The Lengnau musicians were the second to tackle the Thought Gap challenge.
As the piece progressed, they found their way into it more and more.
The comic-like effects in the second movement worked very well.
The third movement was performed with great verve, and the ending was rousing, full of energy and a powerful sound.
Simon Dobson has given us a cracking work here full of invention and emerging clarity.
Each of the sections captures the mood of the thought processes — even to the point of a satisfied exhalation of air in peaceful satisfaction.
It has its complexities for even Swiss bands at this level, but the writing has such defined clearness to it — even in the dark gothic sounding layers of the opening before it explodes into busy life.
The central section has a lucid peacefulness — sparsely written, the emptiness adding to the atmosphere drawn to that final breath of ease.
The finale is a joyful romp of vitality — again, not over complex, but increasing in drive, smooth pulse and fervour with a wonderful light touch.
Saturday 29, 09:00:11
Draw: Third Section:
Adjudicators: Margie Antrobus, Chris King, Mathias Wehr
Set Work: Thought Gap (Simon Dobson)
1. Brass Band Gurbetal (Joram Bots) 2. MG Brass Band Lengnau (Markus Hauenstein) 3. Brass Band Zurich (Werner Kubli) 4. Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Florian Lab) 5. MG Ufhusen (Sandro Frautschi)
Thought Gap (Simon Dobson)
The composer states that his work is the result of creative flow and letting go.
One night he said he sat at the piano and just played. Within five minutes, three figures arrived, as if from nowhere. Rather than overthink the compositional or technical process that led to these figures, or developing them further, he accepted them as they were.
The three movements have titles that describe the different states of mindfullness and meditative thinking that allowed them to come into being.
1. DARK: Gothic in its sound world, almost classical at times.
2. LUCID: Peaceful and serene. After a simple fragment is repeatedly passed around the band, suddenly it starts to wander and intrusive thoughts are heard resulting in a more dissonant harmony and chaotic rhythm. It ends with a return to serenity.
3. LIGHT: The movement starts from a simple, almost minimalist figure, which is heard as an ostinato accompanying the melody above it. It then goes on to show how hubris can take control if care isn't taken to build to an accomplished finish.
Advertisement
Saturday 29, 08:38:43
Welcome to the KKL
The contest action at the 50th Swiss National Championships start at 10.30am, with the judges for the Third Section going to their places behind a huge screen on the third tier of this wonderful hall.
We have already had a very warm welcome from the organisers who have ensured that we have a great spot to enjoy the action on the same third tier level.
As soon as we get the draw we will publish the details.
Friday 28, 20:56:32
Brass App launched to pick your own winners
Swiss brass band fans in Lucerne this weekend can use a brand new app that allows them to create their own personal ranking of the participating band's performances in each section.
It has been developed by band enthusiasts Celine Hunkeler, Jonas Furrer, Silvan Heini and will also enable the individual ranking selections to be put in an overall order to give an indication of what are the audience favourites.
The community ranking will be published at the end of each category.
Celine told 4BR: "This actively involves the audience in the competition and allows them to experience the event in a new, interactive way.
The app was developed by musicians for musicians, with a passion for the brass scene and the aim of digitally enriching the shared concert experience. We hope people like it and use it to add to their enjoyment of the weekend music making."
Just go to the link at: https://brassapp.ch/
Friday 28, 20:32:29
All very Swiss in precision...
Being in Switzerland little wonder the contest runs like the proverbial train time table.
Saturday kicks off at 10.00am with the Third Section in the main Salle Blanche auditorium, whilst the Second Section starts at 10.30am in the adjoining Luzerner Salle.
The Elite Section then starts at 12.15pm in the main hall, which will be followed by the set-work element of the Championship 'Excellence' Section at 5.30pm. The Fourth Section takes place in the adjoining hall at 6.00pm.
The results for the Fourth, Third, Second and Elite will be announced later in the evening.
Sunday starts at 10.00am with the First Section in the Luzerner Salle auditorium, whilst the own-choice of the Championship 'Excellence' Section starts in the main Salle Blanche at 11.30am.
The results of these sections will be announced after the final band has played in the main hall.
Draws made
And just to make sure everyone knows just what is going on, the draws were made earlier today for all sections (including Championship set work and own-choice) to enable the bands to plan their weekend's without panicking over early morning breakfasts and hours wasted hanging around.
I wonder if that will catch on in the UK?
Advertisement
Friday 28, 19:48:11
Genetic preview...
I was very fortunate this evening to be able to hear the Championship Section test-piece in detail ahead of the contest — and by heck, Thomas Doss has come up with a real rip-snorter.
As he states in the preface to 'Genetic Code', his DNA sequencing technique runs through a hefty but not blubberous piece of writing — originally heard in the solo Bb tuba, but quickly morphed, twisted, turned and helix-ed as the piece progresses.
It is so cleverly done too, as you have to check the topography of the musical lines at times to realise that the strands of inspiration still retain the original thread — the Mahler-like chorale a case in point.
You may not think it, but a closer examination and the line is mimicked. Elsewhere, you never quite get a resolution — as if the music brings yet another twist of character to its form.
And anyone who can then turn things from what seems to be grooved funk through to a Viennese lander waltz and into a bit of Klezmer joyfulness should be up there with Crick and Watson in the Nobel stakes.
Add some tasty little short solo interventions, the hallmark glissandi, a pinch of 'St. Magnus' for a couple of bars, some sweeping John Williams sugar coating and bags of dayglo percussion writing and you have a great big, authentic audience pleasing hit on your hands...
November 27 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?
November 27 • 4th section national finalists Wantage Academy are looking for a Bb bass and 2nd cornet to complete their team. A friendly, welcoming band who rehearse Wed 7-8:30pm and Sat 10am-12 under MD Gavin Clemons.
November 25 • 2nd or 3rd cornet required to boost our back row. We are a non contesting band, but carry out numerous events across North Yorkshire. We will be doing a joint concert with Carlton Main next year.
