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Saturday 1st May
Test piece: Up My Alley, Albin Zaininger and own choice programme
Adjudicators: Maurice Hamers, Torstein Aagaard-Nilson and John Wallace
Draw: c13.00hrs on Friday 30th April
Commence: c9.00hrs (BST+1)

What do we think?

An enjoyable B Section contest this morning, although some of the choices of main works were ambitious to say the least.

The one band that stands out head and shoulders above the rest though for us is Austria who played like a classy top section outfit from start to finish. They are our tip.

Draw

Brass Band Wipptal [Italy], 6
Conductor: Martin Gruber

The Italians opt for a bit of Swiss cheese to start and the rather strange ‘Intrada’ from ‘Suite Montreux’, which sounds more from the Iberian Peninsula than anything else – it’s all ‘Le Cid’ stuff. Well played despite the dodgy geography.

The set work is uneven in execution – starts well but loses focus and form, despite the fine perc work. Recovers though.

It’s nice to hear some rare reflective playing in ‘Canterbury Chorale’ – not much of this in evidence all week so far in fact. It’s a decent job too.

‘Fight for Liberty’ has that exciting Garibadli hero style loved by the Italians, with quick footed choreography too – even if it is a touch of romanic bluff and thunder. Effective closing item well delivered.

Overall: There was a feel of a concert programme about this, and perhaps it needed something a touch meatier to give it all overall substance. Well played though.

3BA Concert Band [Germany], 5
Conductor: Franz Matysiak

The reigning champions get off to a fine start with Peter Graham’s ‘Summon the Dragon’, which is played with a touch of fire and scorching technique.

Impressively compact and detailed playing is also evident on the set work (with superb tuned perc). There’s a neat feel of funky humour in this, although there are a few intonation problems. Well played though.

‘Extreme Makover’ is one heck of a piece to hang the defence of your title on and some odd problems are evident to start. Enjoyable stuff as ever, (with fine Gamelan interlude and tuned perc) but thereafter ambition exceeds reality too often .

Overall: That over ambitious choice of main work undermined this one – it was out of their grasp too often.

Brass Band Oberschwaben Allgau [Germany], 4
Conductor: Peter Schmid

It wouldn’t be a brass band contest without a bit of PLC, and the Germans open with ‘Horizons’, which seems a bit of a lightweight aperitif given they are also opting for ‘Music for Battle Creek’ as well as the set work.

In the end it’s decently played if a bit of a throw away item in context.

‘Battle Creek’ is given a brave work out, (in spite of the Axel Foley Beverly Hills Cop ring tone going off halfway through) but it shows the band straining to meet it challenges too often. Fine cornet and sop and there are neat solo moments, but overall this was a far too ambitious choice. A ‘Battle’ lost.

The set work is well played (with excellent perc) and shows the band’s qualities to so much better effect.

Overall: The choice of the Sparke didn’t them any favours, unlike the set work and PLC choice. A performance of highs and lows.

Austria Brass Band of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz [Austria], 3
Conductor: Professor Uwe Koller

This is playing as shiny and vibrant as the MDs fabulous black suit. Six big tubas and a sound to envy many a top section band here, they immediately make a mark with a fine performance of the set work.

All bells and whistles, neat balance and secure soloists mark this out as a class act. If this is the second best band in Austria then watch out in years to come.

‘Trittico’ may appear an ambitious choice on paper, but as soon as they start playing you feel that this is well within their capabilities – and it is.

Cracking ensemble playing is on show again with huge, precise tubas and facile cornets. There is plenty in reserve too, and they turn up the gas to close a highly impressive performance.

Overall: This was a very fine band on display here — impressively conducted too. True championship quality by UK standards without a doubt and wouldn’t be out of place in the top section here either.

Swedish Youth Brass Band [Sweden], 2
Conductor: Berit Palmquist

A fine start with a rousing performance of the set work ‘Up My Alley’, which sounded right up the young Swedes street.

Full of energy, witty asides and rhythmic pulse, this was really good stuff.

‘Festivity’ follows and the high standard of ensemble playing is maintained – great rich sounds and technical security – there is a real vibrancy to this that is engaging.

The band finish off with a rousing performance of ‘Masque’ by Kenneth Hesketh, and one again this is full of vibrant life, if a little excitable and a touch harsh when they really open out. There is some fine cornet work going on and it ends with a real rush of adrenaline inspired excitement.

Overall: Enjoyable stuff this – really well directed too.

Toolo Brass [Finland], 1
Conductor: Olavi Pitkanen

The Finns decide on an eclectic mix and match approach, with the up beat and energetic set work ‘Up My Alley’ to open.

That’s all a bit hit and miss, but not quite as much as the first movement of ‘Year of the Dragon’ to follow which had one or two moments when the fire was nearly extinguished completely. The second movement was much better with a fine solo trombone lead, but the rest of the ensemble struggled at times.

We then wait a full two minutes for what we expect would be the finale (as did the audience with no applause given out) , only to find that they have opted to give it a miss (wise choice) and go for the full version of ‘Rhapsody in Brass’, which is brave and committed but sounded a piece on their limits.

Overall: A bit of a disappointment this – we expected a bit better given the ambitious programme.