World of Brass Update - May 2007
The recent European Brass Band Championships held in Birmingham earlier this month was a hugely enjoyable event with many highlights to speak of. A very high quality European Soloist competition was won by marimba player Lin Chin-Cheng and the best quality European Youth Brass Band yet (conducted by Ian Porthouse) gave great performances in the gala and farewell concerts. The Championship section contest started on Friday evening with a brand new test piece, Elgar Variations, by Martin Ellerby. In an intriguing evening of brass band playing, with most performances having much to commend them, Cory Band emerged as the front runners going into the own-choice part of the contest on Saturday. Sadly for Cory and their supporters they were unable to convert their advantage and win the contest for the first time as they were overtaken by the holders Brass Band Willebroek from Belgium. To underline the end of British domination of the Championships, the first two places were filled by bands from outside of the United Kingdom for the first time, second place being taken by Stavanger Band from Norway. Following their elevation from the B section (having been overwhelming winners for the last two years) Brass Band Oberösterreich were placed a highly creditable 5th place and also gave a stunning farewell concert on the Sunday morning.
Our highlights products are already in their initial stages of preparation and, due to the amount of quality material available, the plan is that the CD and DVD content will differ quite significantly. Pre-orders for the CD and DVD can be placed at the special prices of £15.95 and £17.95 respectively if ordered before 1st July. The CD is due for release in August with the DVD planned for launch at the British Open Brass Band Championship in September.
Talking of the British Open, it was announced recently that the test piece will be a new composition called Visions of Gerontius by Kenneth Downie. In a ‘first’ for the British Open, we are pleased to have study scores available for sale ahead of the contest so that you can come fully prepared for the day, and avoid the inevitable queues! As is usual for the sale of British Open study scores, we will be donating 10% (£1 per score) to the Mortimer Trust for each study score sold prior to and at the event.
Brass Band Willebroek will be making a quick return to England this weekend as they attempt to add the Cambridge International Masters title to the European title they retained last month. As always, the World of Brass trade stand will be present and we’ll be launching the second solo CD from Black Dyke Band principal euphonium, David Thornton. Called Devil’s Duel this is a hugely impressive follow-up to his first CD, Three Worlds, which was named British Bandsman Solo CD of the Year 2004. David will be at the World of Brass trade stand during the course of the day to sign copies of the CD.
Also available for the first time will be the first six titles in the Owen Farr Solo Series of music for Tenor Horn and Piano, published by Prima Vista Musikk.
Those of you who visit the World of Brass website regularly will have noticed the makeover that we have given the site, we hope you like it! All the existing features and facilities have been retained and we’ve added the opportunity for you to ‘tell a friend’ about a particular product.
We have also added the facility to pay via PayPal onto our own website and some of you have already used this alternative option to pay for your purchases.
Our next update in June will include details about the latest recording from The International Staff Band, with guest trombone soloist Dudley Bright, and also a stunning debut CD from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Brass which includes a recording of the original 10-piece version of Derek Bourgeois’ virtuosic Concerto Grosso.
Written by Ian McKenzie on May 28th, 2007 with
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