There is always a shared sense of anticipation about the annual Regionals and National Finals CD releases: What has and what was played to become champions. 

Tested

The bands that made it through to Cheltenham and London in 2013 were tested to the limit at the Areas (as they will be in 2014) - and once they got there, they were certainly faced with imposing musical challenges. 

It was a year in which the Welsh reigned supreme (with the notable exception of the Third Section) with four of the five national titles heading back across the Severn Bridge after their leading representatives produced a series of emphatic winning performances.

Immediate acoustic

The Centaur stage in Cheltenham proved to be a testing contesting platform on which to play; despite the size of the auditorium it was a surprisingly immediate acoustic that caught many bands out - something that sound engineer Richard Scott expertly retains with recordings that ensure you get to hear the winning performances in detail.

Character

The judges in the Fourth Section had to wait right until the last of nineteen contenders to hear the winning performance of Philip Sparke's, 'A Malvern Suite' - which proved to be a fine choice.

Ebbw Valley delivered a reading full of character and style under MD Gareth Ritter; flowing and vibrant in its ensemble work, topped by some delightful solo playing, most notably from ‘Best Instrumentalist’, principal cornet Nanette Jones.

Emotionally charged

Simon Dobson's deeply personal tribute to the 'Penlee' life boat disaster made for an engrossing Third Section contest.  

LGB Brass produced an emotionally charged reading under the baton of Ian Stewart that swayed in drama and pathos right to its chilling conclusion.

Commanding

Meanwhile, the most commanding victory of the weekend came from Goodwick Brass, with an outstanding account of Kenneth Downie's 'Purcell Variations'.

MD Matthew Jenkins drew a rendition that balanced forensic detail with cultured musicality to claim the title with something to spare.

Convincing

Tylorstown's convincing interpretation of Gavin Higgins' cleverly conceived 'Fanfares & Love Songs' - music which it must be said proved to be a very demanding test of Championship winning credentials, was earmarked by confidence and clarity of musical thought, as it took the First Section crown.

With Wales still in celebratory mood after Cheltenham it was left to the heavyweights of Cory and Tredegar to reinforce the Principality’s dominance at the Albert Hall.

Homage

Gregson's wonderful homage, 'Of Distant Memories' (Music in an Olden Style) saw Cory deliver a memorable title winning performance - one that took the big silver cup back to the Rhondda for the first time since 2000. 

It was well worth the wait; full of detail and nostalgic character, controlled dynamics and ensemble playing that left you grasping for the superlatives.

Fitting summation

By the way in which they enjoyed their pre-results concert performance you sensed that they had an inkling that they knew they were just about unbeatable - and so it proved. 

It was a fitting summation of all that Welsh banding had achieved at National level in 2013.

Malcolm Wood

Contents

1. Los Hermanos de Bop, Mark Taylor, arr. Sandy Smith, Cory Band, 2.25
2. A Malvern Suite, Philip Sparke, Ebbw Valley Brass, 10.51
3. Penlee, Simon Dobson, LGB Brass, 14.50
4. Londonderry Air, Traditional, arr. John Iveson, Christopher Thomas (Trombone) with Cory Band, 3.01
5. Purcell Variations, Kenneth Downie, Goodwick Brass, 13.53
6. La Fiesta, Chick Corea, arr. Philip Harper, Cory Band, 3.38
7. Fanfares and Love Songs, Gavin Higgins, Tylorstown Band, 13.30
8. My Way, Claude François and Jacques Revaux, arr. Philip Harper, Dave Mitchell (Vocal) with Cory Band, 2.31
9. Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style). Edward Gregson, Cory Band, 15.11