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Le Mondial SAQ 2004
Montréal International Fireworks Competition Report

Paul's Rankings for 2004

As expected, this was truly a vintage edition of the competition. Everyone expected something special for the 20th anniversary and we were rewarded with eight fabulous displays - each of which would surely have won the Gold Jupiter in any ordinary year of competition. The weather was perfect for every single display even though it was rather cool at the beginning of the competition. In all the years I've been attending the competition, I think this was the best weather-wise, though in 2001 there were no displays where it actually rained.

We were also rewarded with a very high level of creativity this year, from the two tall towers of the Dutch display, the twin "Eiffel" towers of the French display and the huge waterfall and outline of Cologne Cathedral in the German display. Other creative aspects were in the sequencing and choice of colours and effects in all of the displays giving a level of artistry rarely seen in such profusion.

As usual, I will present a summary of each display and then give my personal rankings together with my prediction for the popular jury's votes. For interest, I've also tabulated how many pages of notes I took down for each display (under "Pages"). Where there is an asterix, it means my notes for the finale were mainly summarized by the word WOW in big wobbly letters. It is also interesting to note that I wrote about 25% more per display compared to last year's record-breaking note taking. This gives an indication of the complexity of this year's displays.

Country

Firing System / cues

Comments

Pages
Spain - Igual Manual with FireOne sequences

This was a beautifully designed and choregraphed display with the computerized sequences working extremely well. I particularly enjoyed the artistry displayed in the Nutcraker Suite section. Very high quality product used, especially the many nautical devices employed. Many other simple but effective artistic touches including the strobing lances tracing the shapes of diamonds. A minor criticism is that the soundtrack didn't necessarily reflect the theme, save for the last song, but a good variation of rhythm and pace nevertheless with a strong faux finale.

30*
Japan PyroDigital / ~5800

The most complex display this year, at least in terms of the number of cues used. The theme was interesting and the music well chosen to represent the theme. Extremely high quality product used throughout, in fact, the best of the competition. The crashing wave mine sequence was well done, though Marutamaya had used this in their last display in Montreal. Very well choreographed throughout with flawless synchronization with the speed of the shots taken to new heights. Some said they found these a little repetitious, but I didn't share this view. Only negative comment is that no use was made of the lake. Easily the best Marutamaya display I've witnessed.

36*
Italy Pyrodigital / 1588

Another flawlessly synchronized display, also with fabulous product. A full range of rhythm and pace from extremely serene (some would say just a bit too serene) to an amazingly intense finale. The theme worked well and we were certainly treated to a Roman Festival. The audience went wild after the incredible finale, though it would be hard to call it pyromusical at that point as the music was inaudible beneath all the salutes! A brilliant display, even better than their Gold Jupiter winning performance of 1997.

45*
Spain - Pirotécnia Vicente Caballer Electronic / ~4000

A very large setup with more candle positions than I've seen in a long time. Beautiful product used throughout with very vivid and bright colours used. Incredible faux finale and a very big real finale. The theme was interesting, but I found the narrative sections just a little bit too long and distracting. A couple of small technical problems and misplaced devices detracted from an otherwise excellent display.

38
Holland PyroDigital / Unknown

Extremely creative display with two 28m high towers forming the heart of the presentation. Used throughout, these were a great asset to the theme. Some people didn't care for the music but I found it worked perfectly with the theme. Hilarious comic touch of a cell phone ringing worked very well. Very creative use of the product available though some of the shells were somewhat indistinct colour-wise. A unique display.

34
China PyroDigital / 2873

A display fully in the Chinese tradition with an excellent soundtrack and flawless synchronization throughout. Very good quality product used with excellent timing causing some to speculate that the shells contained MagicFire™ electronic igniters. The appearance of dragons and butterflies throughout the display worked perfectly. Some people commented that they didn't care for the music but I personally enjoyed it and thought it worked very well with the type of fireworks used and the theme. Very tastefully choreographed throughout, as close to perfect as it gets.

43*
France PyroDigital / ~2300

Another excellently choreographed and synchronized display also with excellent product. Personally I found the narrative introduction of two minutes just that bit too long but the display itself was very artistically and sensitively executed. A pity that a few minor flaws detracted from the otherwise excellent attention to detail. The two towers employed were innovative but were not as creatively employed as those used in the Dutch display, though this may have been because one of the towers caught fire part way through. Excellent use of cones of rockets and another dazzling finale.

39*
Germany FireOne / ~2000

A unique experience in the history of the competition - the entire display was performed to live, specially composed, music. The synchronization was incredible and the music and fireworks were in perfect harmony throughout. The entire display was very artistically executed with good attention to detail despite a couple of very minor flaws. The music, though unknown to the audience, had familiar themes throughout representing the multi-cultural nature of Cologne and Montreal and, in my opinion, worked extremely well. The huge waterfall and outline of Cologne Cathedral were risky due to the possiblity of smoke accumulation but worked very well. Another unique display.

42



Paul's jury predictions


Paul's personal choice

On the social aspect of the competition, this has been another vintage year. I had the pleasure to welcome many visitors from the United States, Denmark and Mexico. I also was able to meet many people who I'd met for the first time at the 7th International Symposium on Fireworks, held in Valencia in October 2003. Montréal is truly is a great place to meet fellow pyrotechnicians and enthusiasts from all over the world and I'm very grateful to all the dedicated staff at La Ronde who work untold hours to make this competition happen. Many people would be shocked to see how much work is required to pull off this competition so flawlessly every year. So special thanks to Martyne Gagnon, Paul Csukassy, Anne-Marie Desautels, Geneviève Ferron and everyone else whom space doesn't permit me to mention. Once again, you gave me a memorable summer and a chance to indulge my passion.

One final note, just to say that I consider myself a reporter on the competition, not a critic. The combination of fireworks and music excites different people in different ways. My musical tastes are different to other people's and this inevitably influences my enjoyment of a display. This year some displays which I personally really liked, others disliked because of the music. My job, as your humble reporter, is to describe what I saw and report the music used. The Jury has the exceptionally difficult job of deciding just one winner. In fact, all the competitors should be proud of their achievements in gaining entry into the upper echelons of the pyrotechnics world by competing this year. In recognition of this, the organizers gave each team a special Jupiter for their participation. There are no winners and losers, simply one of the eight is judged to be the best of the best. For a different perspective on the displays, take a look at Georges Lamon's web site, Georges is the official critic at La Presse, one of the local french newspapers. His reports are in French, but the on-line translation programs give a good sense of his thoughts.


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Thanks to the public relations people of La Ronde for the official press release material, shown in white.