Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Bass Clarinet - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.764636 Composed by James Pybus. Contemporary,Contest,Festival. 15 pages. James Pybus #34151. Published by James Pybus (A0.764636). The Royal Court of Aquitaine is an original composition for SATB Saxophone Quartet or Clarinet Quartet and is dedicated to the Three Rivers Saxophone Quartet who are based in Pittsburgh, in appreciation for having me as one of their guests at their 20th Annual Saxophone and Woodwind Workshop held at California University of Pennsylvania, June 27- July 2, 2010. I began working on the piece just prior to attending the workshop and completed it a few days after returning home to Mississauga, Ontario. The title was suggested by my lovely bride after she first heard the piece. Raised in a family where medieval history was a frequent topic of discussion since her father was a Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, my wife says she had a vision of Eleanor of Aquitaine arriving by ship in England with her entourage, while her husband King Henry II awaited her. Since I had no title in mind, and after having researched the medieval Queen, I decided my wife’s suggestion was particularly apt. The piece is in ternary form, with the first theme in C Dorian mode, perhaps depicting Eleanor’s strength and conviction as a monarch. This leads into the second section in Eb major, which is more lyrical and calming in nature, suggesting her influence over the Courtly Love Movement while residing in Poitiers. The first section then returns to bring the piece to a balanced conclusion. The performance time is 3:15. Contact me at james.pybus56@gmail.com.
