I agree 1000% with your second statement. Stunning, stunning musicianship! Mega-Respect ! ! ! But, I dunno . . . perhaps I'm much too unsophisticated about composition. What I mainly experience here is an exhaustive (and exhausting) compendium of cleverly orchestrated sonic and textural effects and, of course, much obligatory "challenging material" (and I suppose anymore that IS the point after all, alas), but as "Composition", with memorable melodies that "sing", and are developed, transformed and, like a journey, skillfully unfold with a trajectory into an experience that perhaps touches the heart, I find this piece woefully bereft. Yes, this is surely a mightily impressive and musically rich performance of material that is, however, in essence mere superficial sonic pretension. (*ouch!*). No offense to those who like this, because in many ways I do, too . . . One can find opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the Profound and Intense as well as the Silly, the Utilitarian and even the Mediocre each within their own contexts and spheres of intention. After all, there is certainly room in the world of creative endeavor for Palestrina, Bartok and Thelonious Monk, as well as Mummers bands, The Three Stooges and barbershop quartets.

@@mortimercoylegraham9001 The piece itself is actually about the demands on composers to write music difficult enough to test these virtuosic bands while still retaining musical integrity, so your opinion isn't completely unreasonable as its the question the composer is asking the listener. There is melody there, but its hidden behind the checklist of test piece requirements almost forced upon the composer.

@@mortimercoylegraham9001 For me this piece has so many memorable moments. The "tuning" start, the first Sop Solo @5:11, all the bent notes throughout the piece or the tuba/Euph Trance around @06:00. But I agree that some things feel a bit out of place like the Bass trombone Solo or the Sop lick @17:20. Still I enjoyed all performances of it at the Euros last year.

Leon Kœrbs I agree! :)

You mean sop

@@elliotharrington5632It's the same.

@@elliotharrington5632 Eb cornet and sop is the same lol.

What vibrato?

Even wiggled the fingers 😄😆

Haha, funny. Perhaps the results speak for themselves.

Cory is an awesome brass band and they deserve their status, but they weren't able to make this piece as emotional. There is much more sensibility in Eikanger's interpretation.

Guillaume Milani I completely agree with you there

Dear Mr. Scott, the results doesn‘t speak! Were you there in Montreux? And Dear Cassandra was not a very outstanding performance. Why am I allowed to say that you may ask? I played it myself on that Stage.

Cory are from Wales.

mythicalireland Right , they are from Wales. UK ! 😉

Yes UK, but not England!!!!!!

BrennerBrass United Kingdom!!

Both great bands!