Pillowell Silver Band

National Finals of Great Britain 2004 - Adjudication

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Test Piece: The Four Noble Truths (Phillip Sparke)

Adjudicators: Alan Hope and Frank Renton

Draw: 13 Position: 2 Points: 183

Alan Hope

Spirited opening that reoccurs at bar 7.  Bar 23 not balanced.  Bar 36 moves well throughout.  Bars 61-65 well done horns and cornets.  Then some details seem jumbled.  All improves at bar 90 and the movement is bought to a fine close.  2) Good tempo and rhythmically consistent.  Nice trio at 53 with impressive percussion which holds all the rhythm together.  This leads to a well spirited ending.  3) Lovely solo quartet but as it grows not all playing in sympathy with each other.  Nice sop.  Intonation appears in cornets at 25 but soon recovers and the ending is well worked out. Well done.  4) Secure opening but could have more dynamics.  Secure and nice sounds I heard - nice trombones at 43.  Assemble grows and has a comfortable ending.  Musically well worked out throughout - possibly you opted for safety but on this occasion I don't criticise that.  Thank you!

Frank Renton

A good start if a little excitable but it soon settles down, then some excellent playing.  I sometimes worry about the balance but generally the playing is very good.  There is a good transition into 2nd movement.  This has a good pace and sense of bustle without hurrying.  An over extensive use of accents is used but the passage unifies and the compass didn't indicate any unease.  Excellent finish - well done percussion.  3) There needs to be an understanding of both style and the exact pitch of concert Bb.  It all sounds a bit stained.  Good use of sfz at 19.  Cornet a bit forceful into 25.  Lovely climax at 33 without being overstated.  A good finish.  4) Needs more dynamic range but safe.  Good link into 35.  Intonation suffers between muted and open instruments then a good build up to a very well thought out finish.  A good performance which overall I enjoyed.