A Brief Story of Peter Abelard

For Soprano Saxophone and Piano 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,whoadmiredhis work. In time, he also became tutor to Fulbert's beautiful seventeen-yearoldniece, Helo se.

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

Forthe sake of Abelard's position, they married secretly, and Canon Fulbert waspresent at their marriage. But Fulbert later reacted furiously to news that Abelard hadsent Helo se to a convent, believing that hehad 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 Helo se remained constantcorrespondents for theremainder of his life. Hecomposed a hymnbook for Helo se,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 QuantaQualia.

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

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

             - James Whitbourn