*
banner

Bjorsvik Brass

Conductor: Magnus Brandseth
Korskirken
Bergen
Sunday 11th October



Norwegian banding continued its emergence from the musical isolation of the Coronavirus with this enjoyable concert rearranged from its original date last month as the first part of a Wilfred Heaton appreciation alongside Eikanger Bjorsvik.

It took place in the chiaroscuro beauty of the Korskirken Church just a short walk from Bergen’s Greighallen where Bjorsvik Brass has enjoyed its meteoric rise through the sections since it first competed there in 2009.

Lucid direction

Lucidly directed by former Eikanger tuba player Magnus Brandseth, Derek Broadbent’s ‘Centaur’  march provided the bravura opening (and perhaps a forgivable piece of unintentional dark Norwegian humour given the original concert date coincided with the UK National Finals in Cheltenham?).

It was followed by the sombre tread of ‘The March back to Camp’  from Howard Snell’s ‘Gallery’  (omitted from the work when it was used at the Albert Hall in 2017) and the tenderness of ‘The Old Couple’, subtly paced with octogenarian reflection and both framed by the MD with an eye to textured colour. 

It was followed by the sombre tread of ‘The March back to Camp’  from Howard Snell’s ‘Gallery’  and the tenderness of ‘The Old Couple’, subtly paced with octogenarian reflection and both framed by the MD with an eye to textured colour.  

The first half concluded with a dramatic reading of Leslie Condon’s ‘The Present Age’ - a work pertinent to troubled times; the youthful protagonist’s faith tested by frivolity, hatred and sneering ignorance before emerging renewed in strength and courage.      

Stark contrasts

The remarkable renaissance of Wilfred Heaton’s music has been admirably led by Paul Hindmarsh, who has revealed more than anyone the recessed complexities of the composer's musical personality.

The contrasts could not have been starker if painted in chiaroscuro technique itself

The quixotic strains of ‘Praise’ - aided by an eccentric ritenuto before the final stanza that sounded as if the band had marched into a stretch of Bergen road covered in treacle, and a Da Capo  that was simply downright odd, balanced against the angst and dissonant drama of his ‘Lento’, with its ebbing Mahleresque emptiness to close.

An evocative setting of ‘Abide with Me’  seemed entirely appropriate before an authoritative performance of Simon Dobson’s ‘Penlee’  drew dramatic imagery to the mind’s eye.

It remains a musical story of self sacrifice that never loses its visceral impact, especially in a port city inextricably linked to the perils of the sea.  

Iwan Fox 

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 21 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have vacancies for PERCUSSION players. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials. It would be great to hear from you if you would like to join the band or if you could help out when needed for concerts.


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have a vacancy for a SOLO CORNET player maybe PRINCIPAL for the right player. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs, occasional contests & socials. Players of all ages & sections are welcome to visit or join us


Epping Forest Band

June 16 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd