Whereas the eyes and ears of the British banding public were steered towards Harrogate on the weekend, the Swiss banding movement was enjoying the competitive atmosphere of the 20th Yamaha Swiss Open held in Luzerne.
Reflections of Colour
10 of the countries best bands locked horns in a contest which saw performances of a new set work entitled ‘Reflection of Colours’ by Thomas Trachsel, followed by a series of performances of transcriptions of classic overtures. A separate march prize was also given.
Adjudication
Given the recent debate in the UK about adjudication processes, the Swiss employed a five man judging panel, with each adjudicator separated from each other. Points were awarded for each category, with the top and bottom marked disregarded. The results from each individual judge were not published in full.
Competitive
At the end of a highly competitive contest, Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern conducted by Michael Bach were declared champions, beating rivals Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan into second place by a substantial six point margin.
For conductor Michael Bach it was his first taste of success with Luzern having only taken over the MD reins at the band in the past month4BR
Success
For conductor Michael Bach it was his first taste of success with Luzern having only taken over the MD reins at the band in the past month.
The band were joint leaders at the end of the set work discipline, but it was their performance of the Frank Wright arrangement of ‘Le Roi d’Y’s’ that set them apart, as their closest rivals could not match their technical or musical brilliance.
Clear win
Conducted by Jean-François Bobillier, Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan were two points behind Luzern after the first discipline, but their performance of ‘The Thievish Magpie’, although good enough for second place as an own choice selection, was still four points behind the eventual winners.
Scots challenge
In third place came Brass Band Berner Oberland, conducted by Philip McCann, who on the same weekend had been announced as the new Musical Director of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band. They couldn’t bridge their two point margin on their own choice selection of ‘Freichutz Overture’.
Phillip led the British (or more accurately, the Scottish) challenge of conductors at the contest, which saw James Gourlay lead current Swiss champion and European runner up, Brass Band 13 Etoiles into fourth spot (playing the overture ‘The Flying Dutchman’), with Russell Gray and his eclectic mix of performers with Wallberg Band in fifth (playing ‘La Forza del Destino’).
All Swiss eyes and ears will now look towards the Swiss National Championships in Montreux at the end of November.
Results:
1. Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach) 178/169 = 347
2. Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan(Jean-François Bobillier) 174/167 = 341
3. Brass Band Berner Oberland (Phillip McCann) 170/167 = 337
4. Brass Band 13 Etoiles (James Gourlay) 168/167 = 335
5. Wallberg Band (Russell Gray) 165/169 = 334
6. Ensemble de Cuivres Mélodia (Yvan Lagger) 163/169 = 332
7. Brass Band Fribourg (Vincent Baroni) 173/158 = 331
8. Brass Band Luzerner Hinterland (Hervé Grélat) 156/171 = 327
9. Oberaargauer Brass Band (Armin Renggli) 158/166 = 324
10. Entlebucher Brass Band (Philippe Bach) 157/163 = 320
March Prize:
Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach)
