Excelsior

Excelsior was composed by Rob Goorhuis in the year 2000 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary in 2001 of the Amsterdam-based concert-band Jong Excelsior.
Excelsior is a one-movement fantasia, consisting of contrasting themes.
The first theme (the Excelsior theme) is characterized by angular figures moving in an upward direction. The second theme is playful and humorous in nature.
Rob Goorhuis, who was born and bred in Amsterdan, may even have utilized memories of his own juvenile pranks in this second theme.
The third theme, which is introduced by the cor anglais is melancholy and melodious. The elements mentioned above interchange in a thoroughlycaptivating manner, which ultimately results in an attractive composition fully capable of adding lustre to an anniversary.