Brassband Burgermusik Luzern claimed a historic hat trick of Yamaha Swiss Open titles in their home city on the weekend.

Repel

Conducted by Michael Bach, they just did enough over the two legged contest to repel the challenge of Wallberg Band, the unique contesting outfit directed by Garry Cutt, with Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan conducted by Jean-Francois Bobillier in third.

Impact

Luzern has made a remarkable impact at the contest in the past three years under their talented MD, and their performances of the set work, ‘The Torchbearers’ by Peter Graham followed the next day by their own choice overture, ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ gave them victory for the third year in a row.

Our performances were excellent and we faced a very strong challenge, especially from Wallberg and Garry Cutt. The victory gives us a lot of confidence ahead of the Swiss National Championships later this yearMichael Bach

Wonderful achievement

The MD told 4BR that the latest win was another step forward for his band as they now prepare for their assault on the Swiss National Championships in Montreux in November.

"It’s a wonderful achievement for the band," he said. "I am very happy of course to win a hat trick, but they have worked so hard for this and they deserve the real credit.

Our performances were excellent and we faced a very strong challenge, especially from Wallberg and Garry Cutt. The victory gives us a lot of confidence ahead of the Swiss National Championships later this year."

Three point lead

Lucerne held a three-point lead following their performance of the set work, with Wallberg’s in second place, but Garry Cutt drew a riveting performance from his band on ‘La Forza del Destino’ to almost claim the title.

Even more remarkable was the turn around in fortunes of Valaisan, who languished ten points behind the eventual winners on the Friday, but delivered a scorching performance of ‘Le Corasir’ to win the own choice discipline by a huge five point margin to fall just short of taking the title themselves.

Results:
Judges: Philip Sparke, Peter Graham, Maurice Hamers, Pascal Eicher and Howard Lorriman

1. Brassband Burgermusil Luzern (Michael Bach) – 178/170 = 348
2. Wallberg Band (Garry Cutt) – 175/173 = 348
3. Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan (Jean-Francois Bobillier) = 346
4. Brass Band Luzerner Hinterland (Herve Grelat) – 164/172 = 336
5. Entlebucher Brass Band (Patrick Ottiger) — 164/167 = 331
6. Brass Band Michelsamt (Corsin Tuor) – 171/157 = 328
7. Opera Brass (Albert Benz) – 166/161 = 327
8. Brass Band Fribiurg (Allan Withington) – 159/164 = 323
9. Oberaargauer Brass Band (Armin Renggli) – 153/168 = 321
10. Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien (Blaise Heritier) – 164/156 = 320
11. Ensemble de Cuivres Melodia

Winning Swiss Radio March — Vivat Lucerna (Arthur Ney): Brass Band Luzerner Hinterland