Winner: The Symphonic Euphonium II (David Childs)
2. Spotlight (Katrina Marzella)
3. Spot on! The Next Generation of Euphonium Music (Fabian Bloch)
An utterly magnificent display of consummate musicianship and artistry by David Childs deservedly claims the Solo CD of the Year title — adding to an ever growing list of awards and accolades since the recording was released.
His command of the instrument is a given, but it is the way in which is embossed into the very core of four diverse major works is quite incredible.
The superlatives — including the balanced nuance of the accompaniment by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Ben Gernon make this a true landmark recording.
12 of the 13 judges agreed in placing it first in their order of preference.
In a year of excellent solo releases, Katrina Marzella engaging 'Spotlight' was the clear runner-up, with the innovative musical approach of Fabian Bloch on 'Spot on! The Next Generation of Euphonium Music', in third.
Our congratulations to all those who were nominated — the quality of the releases this year was outstanding.
His command of the instrument is a given, but it is the way in which is embossed into the very core of four diverse major works is quite incredible4BR Editor Iwan Fox
Past Winners:
2018: Life Force — Peter Moore
2017: The Demonic Virtuoso — Owen Farr
2016: Fantasy — Philip Cobb
2015: Parallel Realities — David Thornton
2014: The Symphonic Euphonium — David Childs
2013: Stories of Life — Glenn Van Looy
2012: Diamonds — Steven Mead
2011: Dreaming of the Masters — Jens Lindemann
2010: Moto Perpetuo — David Childs
2009: Salt of the Earth — Les Neish
2008: Audacious — Steven Mead
2007: Eminence — Richard Marshall
2006: The World of the Euphonium: Volume 5 — Steven Mead
2005: Blaze — Richard Marshall
2004: Legend — Peter Roberts
2003: A Winters Tale — Martin Winter
Panel:
The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (Editor 4BR); Malcolm Wood (Chief Contributor); Andrew Wainwright (Writer/Composer/Arranger/Graphic Designer/Journalist); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Chris Thomas (Chief Contributor Brass Band World magazine); Kenny Crookston (CEO, Brass Bands England); Frode Rydland (EBBA Music Commission/soprano cornet Bjorsvik Brass); David Hirst (Conductor/Association of Brass Band Adjudicators); Alexander Zwann (Chief contributor CU Brass); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist); Owen Melhuish (President: North Shore Brass New Zealand); David Gallaher (Director of Air Force Music — Royal New Zealand Air Force Band)
