DVD: European Highlights 2016

Steven Mead reviews highlights from the European Brass Band Championships 2016 - Live from Le Nouveau Siecle Concert Hall, Lille, France.

The 39th European Brass Band Championships proved again that this event is the flagship contest for brass bands, elevated to that position not only by a well thought-out innovative programme of events, but by the magnificent contributions from all the competing European bands. The level of performance, from the Youth and Challenge sections to Elite Section, was quite sensational and this double DVD set captures all of the atmosphere to perfection.

There were many stars of the weekend, as well as the obvious one - contest victor Cory Band.

Thierry Deruyelle’s Fraternity proved to be almost the perfect test-piece. With a great storyline set in Douai, close to Lille, the piece had moments of great drama, tenderness and transcendent beauty. The composer’s music was enthusiastically received by audience, conductors and bands alike.

Others deserving of honourable mention on this auspicious weekend were:

Richard Marshall, Black Dyke’s Principal Cornet, who gave a truly excellent world première performance of Edward Gregson’s new Cornet Concerto; Erik Janssen, who did a first class job with the European Youth Brass Band, the high quality performances of which matched Youth Band players’ energy and enthusiasm, carefully nurtured by the Dutchman.

Composers, Philip Sparke and Oliver Waespi, must also have been thrilled by the performances of their new works, respectively Raveling and Unraveling and Hypercube, the latter brilliantly performed by Paris Brass Band in the Own-choice Section.

Meanwhile, the irrepressible Frank Renton once again ties the whole show together on the DVD with his professional style of introducing bands and soloists. This year, Frank was situated inside the hall on a tiered section to the right of the stage. He captures the atmosphere to perfection and gives the viewer a real insight. It’s a nice touch.

Also of interest are interviews, notably with Monsieur Deruyelle, Edward Gregson, Tom Hutchinson, Oliver Waespi and Professor Nicholas Childs.

So to the musical choices made by the World of Brass/World of Sound team.

The first DVD concerns itself with the Elite contest, on which we are treated to Cory’s full performances of Fraternity and Philip Sparke’s stunning Raveling and Unraveling, which propelled the band to victory. These are worth the price of the DVD alone; the band was on top form and led with such authority by conductor, Philip Harper. The DVD gets ‘up close and personal’ with all of the band’s soloists, and the camera crew does an outstanding job in capturing some very special moments. Watching ace soprano, Steve Stewart, go about his business is remarkable and highly entertaining!

The DVD also treats the viewer to the complete performance of Hypercube by Paris Brass Band. Playing on home soil, it is little wonder that this band’s performances were greeted with such elation. What a band it is - brilliantly conducted by Florent Didier and led with distinction by the principal cornet and euphonium chairs, respectively Alexis Demailly and Bastien Baumet.

Swiss Champion Valaisia, conducted by Arsene Duc, gives an incredible performance of Trance by Thomas Doss. During the weekend in Lille, many fancied Valaisia as the prospective winner for its two jaw-dropping performances - all was so perfectly layered and executed to perfection, with marvellous percussion complementing astonishing brass playing.

Black Dyke, which emerged as runner-up in the contest, give a dramatic and fearless account of Edward Gregson’s The Trumpets of the Angels, which also had great visual appeal. Indeed, this is, a highlight of this DVD boxed set.

Frank Renton then introduces each section of the set work, Fraternity, by Brass Brass Buizingen, 3BA, Paris, Valaisia, Brighouse and Rastrick, Provinciale Groningen and, finally, Black Dyke. It would have been good if the DVD had also offered the chance to hear tasters from the new works played by Oberösterreich and Whitburn. However, we get to enjoy the Results Ceremony and to watch the jubilant celebration by members of Cory as disc 1 completes.

The second DVD disc features the winner of the Challenge Section - Brass Band Sachsen - playing Rodolph Schacher’s Samson, plus several items from the Saturday evening Gala Concert. As mentioned earlier, the performance by Richard Marshall of the Gregson Cornet Concerto is quite stunning, and the viewer is also treated to Peter Graham’s Symphony of Scarlet and Gold, performed by Black Dyke.

The European Youth Brass Band, which accompanies saxhorn soloist, David Maillot, then slips into party mood for a couple of items, rousing a weary audience that clearly recognised and appreciated the band’s fine efforts.

Nord Pas Calais also contributes a few slickly presented works, as well as accompanies the newly crowned European Solo Contest winner, Swiss cornetist, Jeremy Coquoz. Having personally witnessed the superb youth band contests on the Sunday, I think it would have be fitting to find a space for the brilliant Tertnes Skoles Musikkorps and Young Brass Band Willebroek outfits, although both do receive exposure on the double CD of the weekend.

Putting these double albums together is quite a challenge and, this year, World of Brass and World of Sound have again risen to the challenge, giving us some audio and visual treasures from a quite marvellous weekend in Lille.

Visit www.wordofbrass.com to purchase the DVD or CD equivalent.