A remarkable day of contesting on a hugely enjoyable test-piece of immense challenges but engaging musicality.
You will need the wisdom of a musical Solomon to choose between the best here today — it really is down to a question of personal preference in the approach. Each of the best had a defined difference but all made the piece come to life off the page.
Tiny margins
There are tiny margins at play here — with Foden's just having the edge for us with a middle section of sublime transparency and tenderness.
Eikanger's more pragmatic approach should see them right in the mix alongside wonderful performances from defending champion Treize Etoiles and Valaisia. Willebroek and Cory are also within a gnat's hair of leading the way into tomorrow with Hauts de France on their coat tails. .
The Past — It has been a long wait for the Italians and the opening emerges in atmospheric fashion, with percussion carefully sitting within the textures. Some of early sense of atmosphere pervades until the 'big bang' is unleashed with brutal power.
The Present — Great sectional work from trombones and this has an admirable sense of motion and momentum, but that essential inner detail is not always evident with balancing of the voices sometimes needing to be given greater attention. Yet much of this remains highly infectious in its musical integrity.
Interlude — Baritones do well as does flugel and there are luminous colours and so much to admire in the styling and shaping of the performance, if not always matched by pristine execution. The final emotional climax is well judged and forms a fine transition into;
The Future — The build to the conclusion is a powerful one, emotionally charged and ending in a blaze of majesty. Bravo!
Overall — A tough day for the Italian Brass Band with a ten hour wait to take to the stage at 22.15 in front of an almost empty hall. No one would have wished it on them but the performance was one for which the band deserves every credit.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The remaining listeners are rewarded with another fantastic performance of the spectacular test piece "Transitions in Energy."
The section leaders take charge and lead the way with strong solos.
The performance is punctuated by a few intonation issues, but the Italians play with great enthusiasm and enjoy the sustained applause.
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
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Friday 9, 21:58:57
Interview Brass LT
Friday 9, 21:40:38
Championship Section:
14. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc)
The Past — Valaisia's opening creeps in from nowhere. This is surely what the composer intended. The colours and textures skilfully blended and managed with exceptional dynamic awareness.
There is abundant clarity of articulation in the inner detail and the 'big bang' has a cataclysmic impact that lifts the roof. What an impressive opening from Valaisia this has been.
The Present — One of the most startling features of this performance so far is the level of detail that can be heard with remarkable clarity at extremely low dynamic levels.
It's also a performance of extremes in its dynamic reach, at both ends of the sonic spectrum. The sheer white heat of the approach to Gaia is exceptional, with Gaia itself delivered with palpable majesty.
Interlude — Gloriously balanced baritones to open, what a joy to listen to. This is up there with the very best today in its sense of gravitas.
Fine solo cornet and there is so much luminosity about the colours and textures. The climax
The Future — Metronomic precision abounds, as does playing of breathtaking technical facility.
Trombones are inspired, as are the cornets with Glenn van Looy floating his solo with with consummate ease into the stratosphere to be followed by an oh so stylish solo trombone. The closing paragraphs ooze style and positivity.
Overall — It would be hard to imagine two performances by two Swiss bands on the same day being delivered to the standard heard here today. Valaisia have flown the Swiss flag with pride once again with only one band to go now.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The cornets create a magical atmosphere at the beginning of the piece. Valaisia demonstrate their incredible sense of dynamics.
From pianissimo to fortissimo, they maintain a full, round sound and can turn up the volume as if turning the volume control on a radio.
A beautiful principal solo (the only one of the day performed standing up) and what a sound the soprano cornetist delivers! I wager to say: it won't get any better than the Valaisia ​​Brass Band's performance!
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
Valaisia Brass Band provide a bold and highly controlled interpretation of Transitions in Energy.
From the whisper-soft opening to the thunderous Big Bang, the performance showcased masterful dynamic control and rich ensemble sound.
The precision and musical intent were especially evident in energetic and technically demanding passages, while emotional depth came through in Interlude and A Sea Full of Roses.
The closing sections, including The Future and As in Slow Motion, were delivered with clarity, balance, and impact. A standout performance that earned a well-deserved ovation.
Henk Van Loon www.CUBrass.nl
Friday 9, 21:14:44
Championship Section:
13. Foden's Band (Russell Gray)
The Past — An eerie, other worldly opening that is so subtle in its shading, the colours and textures brilliantly painted ahead of a 'big bang' of huge but controlled power. The pacing that follows is masterful. A Russell Gray hallmark and one that allows the music to build with a natural, organic sense of growth into a powerful statement of Gaia.
The Present — The word organic comes to mind once again as The Present is delivered with latent momentum that is scorching in its impact, the detail evident throughout the band being underpinned by a breadth and depth of sound that seems to bind the performance together. This has such cumulative impact, with sectional playing of exceptional collective precision.
Interlude — The music is here given so such much time and space…it is allowed to unfold in waves of emotion that overspill in the almost unbearable moving closing bars. One can sense both MD and players wringing everything that they possibly can from the score.
The Future — Somehow this all makes so much musical sense in Russell Gray's hands. The sense of journey through the work as a whole is key…but it is matched by a Foden's band at the height of its powers. The conclusion is one of unbridled, almost ecstatic majesty.
Overall: Foden's Interlude was emotionally super charged without a doubt, proving to be the fulcrum of a gloriously affirmative reading of the score. We wouldn't want the task of Isabelle Ruf Weber, Corsin Tour and Bert van Thienen today, that's for sure.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The English band showcases their brilliant technique and fantastic sound across all registers. The band breathes so powerfully together that it feels as if the air is being sucked out of the room.
This makes their cues razor-sharp. The large instruments provide a solid foundation for wonderful solos.
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
An impressive performance marked by control, balance, and emotional depth — musically intelligent and aesthetically refined.
Henk Van Loon www.CUBrass.nl
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Friday 9, 20:41:25
Championship Section:
12. Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag (Florent Didier)
The Past — Eikanger's is not the quietest opening we have heard today but it's laden with atmosphere.
This in its balancing of the percussion and that sense of mystery and eeriness pervades until the 'big bang' is reached with an orchestral sounding depth of sonority. What a sound this band has. Gaia gives us an intense transition into the dramatic tension of;
The Present — And here the cumulative power and momentum is allowed to take over, yet set against inner detail and individual , the crushing hammer blows that herald the Interlude being almost apocalyptic in their impact.
Interlude — Such beautifully intertwining baritones to open, this has so much grace and musical meaning.
Solo euphonium, flugel and cornet all deliver individual playing of ravishing emotion and the gravitas and telling shifts of mood and dynamic are so telling and meaningful, the emotional impact and long silence that follows even more potent as a result.
The Future — What a trombone section! Playing of almost breathtaking impact with every section of the band melding into one.
This has been such a wonderfully layered account, with exceptional levels of clarity through the textures. The trombone solo towards the close is nothing short of perfect, the final build to the conclusion and the transformation to positivity, one of latent optimism.
Overall: A performance of towering emotional impact from the home team of Eikanger that sends the crowd into raptures.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The locals gather a big crowd. A powerful percussion section showcases the numerous different instruments. The bass drum makes the entire hall shake!
After a little cautious start, they bring a wealth of emotion into play and turn things up a notch at the end of the melancholic movement.
Vidar Nordli makes the austere trombone solo in the last minute of the piece sound completely simple. The man delivers incredibly well at every contest, impressive! They will be in a good position for tomorrow.
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
A world-class performance combining technical mastery, emotional depth, and interpretive clarity. Totally compelling.
Henk Van Loon www.CUBrass
Friday 9, 20:25:33
Championship Section:
11. Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band (Gert Skovlod Hattesen)
The Past — Lyngby- Taarbaek's opening is perhaps not quite as delicate and other worldly as some today but as a platform, the build to the 'big bang' is handled with a metronomic clarity. And that shows in the playing as the tempi are well judged, if not always matched by extreme precision of ensemble.
The Present — There is much quality playing as the momentum builds, but consistency of execution does waver occasionally as the band doesn't quite succeed in building the latent energy that has marked out the very best amongst a number of hugely impressive performances so far today.
Interlude — The climax reached in 'sea full of roses' when it arrives impresses but this is a performance that for all its qualities, has also lost its way a little as it has progressed with its essential intensity not always being maintained throughout in a work that relies on those 'transitions of energy' for its life blood.
The Future — The sapping of energy continues to fall away and we can sense that the players heads have gone down to some degree. There's a resurgence of steam in the final bars to cap what has been a committed but inconsistent account.
Overall: A performance of mixed fortunes from the Danes. At its best, there were moments that simmered with power, but the momentum ran out of steam in the latter stages.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The Danes delivered a solid performance. Precise entries and well-balanced sound. The interpretation was consistent throughout. It's becoming increasingly difficult to classify the performances!
Michael Franz Chief editor
Lyngby-Taarbæk opened with a carefully controlled, soft dynamic that created a sense of calm and structure. The Gaia theme was woven clearly through the sections.
Overall, the performance offered several beautiful musical moments but left room for deeper emotional engagement.
Henk Van Loon www.CUBrass.nl
Friday 9, 19:20:53
Championship Section:
10. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet)
The Past — Willebroek take to the stage as former champions and a band that can always make an impact at the European's.
The opening is subtly coloured and nuanced yet with a different sense of clarity to some today. Effectively balanced percussion and subterranean basses all add to the musical picture and the 'big bang' is colossal in its impact.
Terrific solo cornet work from Lode Violet and this has a real presence and vitality about it.
The Present — This is inspired in its pacing and drive…the sheer momentum detail rarely wavers…what consistency this band always seems to deliver on the big occasions.
Interlude — Fabulous baritones to open…sinuous and perfectly balanced with solo contributions of the very highest quality from cornet, flugel and euphonium with Willebroek being the first band to raise solo players to their feet.
The 'sea full of roses' sweeps over the audience in waves of intensity, the long pause at the end potent in its effect.
The Future — The energy returns and so does the intensity. Terrific work from the trombones and Frans violet has wrought everything from his band here.
Intelligent music making that takes full advantage of every nuance and variation of mood. Solo trombone solo is top drawer as the drama mutates into a final paean of optimism.
Overall: The Belgians deliver in spades with a performance that oozed class, emotion and detail.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
The Belgians manage to give the delicate opening a previously unheard-of atmosphere. They sit in a very compact formation, with the solo cornets and the horn section forming the inner circle, and the euphoniums and baritones sitting in their own row behind them.
Principal cornet Lode Violet switches to the flugel horn at times and takes on the extremely high passage in the quiet middle section. A risky move, but one that pays off — all his solos are brilliant!
The band delivered an expressive, controlled (in the best sense) performance from start to finish. They had a plan, and they executed it perfectly.
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
Brass Band Willebroek, a seasoned presence on Europe's top brass band stages, once again showcased their expertise under the direction of Frans Violet.
The performance began with their signature warm sound, marked by calmness and excellent balance. The Future began with bold, albeit slightly dominant percussion. The final prayer section provided a solemn lead-in to a resolute and deliberate closing.
Henk Van Loon www.CUBrass.nl
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Friday 9, 18:50:19
Championship Section:
9. the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella-Wheeler)
The Past — A shimmering, glistening opening that immediately captures the mystery whilst being laced with ominous darkness the trombones.
This is brilliantly painted and so eerie in its delivery. The tension cranks up inexorably to a shattering 'big bang' as the detail within the textures is allowed to be heard with clarity. When Gaia comes it is almost with a sense of radiant relief.
The Present — It is the sheer energy of the playing that is once again driving this on with such latent power. Occasionally there are tiny lost in the maelstrom of intensity that is being generated the levels of clarity in the detail impress.
Interlude — The instrumental voices are finely balanced and coalesce with space and freedom.
There is a gravitas that really does strike deep…the textures always luminous and leading with a natural sense of progression to a deeply felt 'sea full of roses' that is intensely emotional in its delivery.
The future — Great work from trombones and cornets and and again the sheer intensity and emotional breadth of this is so engaging, the close one of radiant affirmation.
Overall: Katrina Marcella Wheeler becomes the first female to conduct in the Elite Section at the European champions.
Long, long overdue and wow did the band deliver for her. cooperation at its very best with a reading that was emotionally super charged from the very opening.
Christopher Thomas
The European perspective
Well, the standard is incredibly high, and the Scots also deliver a strong performance.
A few inconsistent entries at the beginning of the piece can be criticised, but otherwise it was a flawless performance. Katrina Marzella leads the band with great joy, and this translates into the music.
Michael Franz Chief editor Brass Band News
Transitions in Energy, began with a well-balanced introduction and a warm, characterful sound. The Gaia theme was given ample space and delivered convincingly.
An impressive and memorable performance by The Cooperation Band, led with vision and confidence by a highly capable and inspiring conductor.
May 8 • Ambitious and friendly L&SC 2nd section contesting band, based in Newport Pagnell (near to jnct 14, M1) currently seeking the following players: CORNETS (solo cornets desired, positions negotiable), Eb BASS, FLUGELHORN, PRINCIPAL EUPHONIUM.
May 8 • 1st horn position available at Bedford Town Band (First section). If you are interested in becoming part of our friendly band, we would love to hear from you. Planned contests this year include Wychavon .
May 8 • BBb bass position available at Bedford Town Band (First section). If you are interested in becoming part of our friendly band, we would love to hear from you. Planned contests this year include Wychavon .
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