A Brief Story of Peter Abelard
Soprano Saxophone and Organ
by James Whitbourn
Soprano Saxophone - Sheet Music

Organ; Soprano Saxophone

SKU: HL.14041749

Soprano Saxophone and Organ. Composed by James Whitbourn. Music Sales America. Classical. Softcover. Composed 2011. 16 pages. Chester Music #CH78958. Published by Chester Music (HL.14041749).

UPC: 884088876982. 9.0x12.0x0.088 inches.

For Soprano Saxophone and Organ accompaniment.

'Peter Abelard was a medieval philosopher, poet and musician, born in France in 1079. He taught at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, lodging with Canon Fulbert, whoadmired hiswork. In time, he also became tutor to Fulbert's beautiful seventeen-yearoldniece, Heloise.

Abelard and Heloise began a passionate love affair (Dance of Peter and Heloise),which resulted in a son, Astrolabe.

For thesake of Abelard's position, they married secretly, and Canon Fulbert waspresent at their marriage. But Fulbert later reacted furiously to news that Abelard hadsent Heloise to a convent, believing that he had abandoned her infavour of his owncareer. In revenge, he had Abelard castrated (Revenge of Canon Fulbert).

After his mutilation, Abelard became a monk, and he and Heloise remained constantcorrespondents for the remainder of his life. Hecomposed a hymnbook for Heloise,who by then was Abbess of the convent of the Paraclete. Among the hymns was avisionary poem of the New Jerusalem, set to a beautiful melody in the Dorian mode,O Quanta Qualia.

On his death in1142, his remains were taken to the Paraclete at Heloise's request, andher body was later laid to rest in the same tomb. Finally, their remains were taken toParis and in 1817 they were buried together in one sepulchre (InParadisum).

Peter Abelard documented much of his own story in a number of writings, includingthe Historia Calamitatum Mearum (The story of mytroubles).'

             - James Whitbourn