1999 l'International Benson & Hedges Montréal Pyromusical Competition Report

Paul's Rankings for 1999

Once again, an excellent year's competition. The choice of winners is somewhat easier this year since some of the displays had technical or other problems which take them out of the rankings. It is very hard to decide between the two best displays from Ampleman and Performance Pyrotechnic Associates. Both were outstandingly pyroeographed, but had very different themes, giving two excellent displays. Ampleman used a greater ranged of product, including some fantastic nautic mines, lots of rocket cones and girandolas. PPA used a more restricted range of product, but had some truly beautiful shells. The choice of music was very different in each case. For the other displays, Switzerland cannot be ranked because they used parachute shells, which are banned. Italy had several technical problems, as did France. The UK also had a couple of small problems and Spain was pretty much problem free. Given all this, I will try and pick the three winners and rank the rest.

First of all, a small critique of each display:

• United Kingdom- Really good colours, some unusual shells and a choice of music which was much better than their display in 1996. Very artistically designed with good use of the different levels. Good finale, though fizzled out at the end due to technical problems.

• Switzerland- Lots of very large break and unusual shells. Synchronization good in most parts, but off in a couple of spots. The use of banned parachute shells, whilst popular with the audience, will mean no ranking for this display.

• Spain - Huge amount of material. Lots of great nautic shells. Very intense display with a great finale. Lots of nice shells, especially the slow falling stars and wiggly go-getters, though a little bit repetitive in parts. Synchronization fairly good for a traditionally fired show.

• Canada - A great display with a theme running through from start to finish. Flawless synchronization due to use of FireOne electronic firing system. Great range of material including rockets, girandolas and fantastic 6" nautic mines. Nice rhythm and pace throughout leading to an exciting finale.

• Italy - Technical problems spoiled an otherwise excellent display. Fantasically clear colours, and the typically Italian Finale was extremely intense. Choice of music had no overall theme so not so much a pyromusical.

• France - Very well pyroeographed display, but technical problems left too much dark sky. Flawless synchronization due to use of Pyrodigital electronic firing system. Whilst there was a theme running through the display, at no point did I feel excited and the finale was underwhelming.

• United States - Incredible pyroeography. The synchronization was absolutely flawless, thanks to the Pyrodigital electronic firing system. Despite the slightly restricted range of product, lots of excellent shells. Great variation in rhythm and pace lead to build and release of excitement. First time I've seen the 1812 Overture performed in Montreal and, despite the potential cliché, extremely tastefully executed, and a fitting finale to the display.

I'm going to go out on left field and predict that the USA will not pick up the Gold Jupiter this year. I think they will get a Special Jupiter for "Development of the art of the Pyromusical". Here are my personal rankings:

• Special Jupiter - United States
• Gold - Canada
• Silver - Spain
• Bronze - United Kingdom
• 4^th - Italy
• 5^th - France
• Not Ranked - Switzerland - due to use of banned parachute shells

My predications for the jury's results are (assuming that the Special Jupiter isn't given):

• Gold - United States
• Silver - Canada
• Bronze - Spain

Official Results

As predicted, the official results are:

• Gold - United States Performance Pyrotechnic Associates
• Silver - Canada Ampleman
• Bronze - Spain Pirotécnia Igual

La Ronde Dance Card Wednesday July 28^th, 1999

Industrie Panzera S.A.S.

For the ninth successive occasion this year, a perfect warm summer's evening was the backdrop to another fantastic display. Maestro Giovanni Panzera, in collaboration with musical designer Pierre Walder, produced a brilliant show. In eight thematic segments, each representing a different type of dance music, an amazing forty two pieces of music were performed in the intense 30-minute display. I didn't take any notes, but just stood awe-struck and watched as the art of fire painted the heavens.

Vast numbers of shells, fantastic tableaux of dazzling Roman candles, nautic shells of glittering willow, impressive barrages of huge multi-break shells, all served to thrill the full-to-capacity crowd for this final display of the season. The finale, in typical Panzera style, was thunderous. After a massive barrage of salutes, silence descended and a train lit up with a sign saying "2000" slowly traversed the back of the display area, as red flares illuminated the firing ramps. Many people thought this was the end and just an announcement of the running of the competition next year. They were wrong. A final thunderous minute brought the season to a final close, leaving people with their ears ringing, their legs shaking and the air full of smoke and huge quantities of shredded paper. A fantastic end to another memorable year's competition.