Excelsior!

Intriguing story by Longfellow, about a young man’s misguided venture to climb higher and higher in the Alps, which was the go-to destination in those days. The lad sets off with his banner, heeding the warnings of the old man, the maiden, the peasant and some monks. The banner carries the inscription ‘Excelsior!’, which in old language means ‘ever higher!’. No happy ending for him.

There’s a bit of a pattern emerging in Geoff’s theme, first the father taking his son into Erlking territory, then this!

‘Strange Device’ here doesn’t mean any sort of gadget but is Middle English for ‘Intention’. The Falchion was a heavy 13th century sword, much liked by soldiers because it let them cut through shields and armour. Bit more of the macabre but rousing stuff.

I can’t find any Excelsior scores in Google searches so it’s not everyone’s choice. For now I’ve taken out the bars that would have had accompaniment but may fill them in later.

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass