HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Baroque John Blow

John Blow

Painting: Sir Peter Lely c 1680

Baptized 23 February 1649 in Westminster, London, John Blow. Blow was of major significance to the music of England as teacher to Henry Purcell at the Chapel Royal as of 1674. He composed fourteen Anglican services, but the anthem was the rabbit in his hat, writing more than a hundred of them. Blow himself had studied music as a boy as a chorister at the Chapel Royal as early as 1660, perhaps serving in that capacity earlier someplace else, as that placed him in the high employ of King Charles II. Among titles composed by him as a youth was 'Club Anthem' of 1664 when he was fifteen, written with Pelham Humfrey and William Turner [Encyclopedia]. In 1668 he succeeded Albertus Bryan as organist at Westminster Abbey. He was made gentleman at the Chapel Royal in 1673 and by 1678 he had earned a doctorate. The degree of doctor ("teacher") had been around for centuries, ever since the Catholic Church needed academicians to translate Latin. Westminster Abbey is located to the west side of the Palace of Westminster in London. The original abbey dates back to Benedictine monks in the 10th century. This is where English and British monarchs have held coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066. It is also the burial site of above 3000 saints, monarchs, aristocrats, poets, composers, scientists, politicians, military figures and others of prominence. The Palace of Westminster is the United Kingdom's Parliamentary battleground of the House of Commons and the House of Lords though its brick and mortar are owned by the Crown. It was named after the abbey upon original construction in the 11th century. Completely destroyed by fire in 1834, what stands today was reconstructed since then.

Westminster Cathedral

Western facade of Westminster Cathedral at Westminster Palace

Source: Wikipedia

Westminster Palace

Westminster Palace from the north across the Thames

Source: Wikipedia

It was in 1674 that 'Lift Up Your Heads, O ye gates' appeared in manuscript in Blow's own hand, catalogued as MU MS 88 at the Fitzwilliam Museum. This anthem was a setting for Psalm 24: 7-10 composed for solo voices (SATB), chorus (SATB) and several instruments. In 1675 'Salvator Mundi' appeared in manuscript in his own hand, catalogued as Music MS 14 at Christ Church, Oxford. Text for this antiphon is anonymous probably from William Byrd's 'Cantiones Sacrae' of 1575. It was composed in G minor for SSATB with continuo, organ the most likely candidate. These manuscripts were Blow's personal collections not transcribed for anyone else.

'Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates' Anthem by John Blow

Entered by Blow into the MU MS 88 in 1674

Text from Psalm 24: 7-10 for solo voices (SATB) / chorus (SATB) / multiple instruments

L'Harmonie des Saisons / Eric Milnes Granby, Quebec April 2012

'Salvator Mundi' Antiphon by John Blow

Entered by Blow into the Music MS 14 in 1675

Text anon for SSATB & continuo

Chichester Cathedral Choir w organ by Sarah Baldock 13 March 2013

Blow was succeeded at Westminster in 1679 by Purcell. Either dismissed or resigning, he began to concentrate on writing songs about that time. He is thought to have composed his masque, 'Venis and Adonis' in 1683. The masque was something the predecessor to opera, developed in Italy in the 16th century out of a folk tradition in which masked dancers brought gifts to nobles on notable occasions. It eventually split into two types, the intermedio, a great theatrical production exclusive to the court, and the pageant, the public version.

'Venus and Adonis' Masque by John Blow

Premiere 1683

The Dunedin Consort conducted by John Butt

Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, Netherlands 2 Sep 2015

In 1685 Blow was appointed a private musician to James II. In 1687 he became choirmaster at St. Paul's Cathedral. His piece for keyboard, 'Chaconne in F major' was copied into manuscript no later than 1687, possibly written earlier.

'Chaconne in F major' Piece for solo keyboard by John Blow

No later than 1687

Harpsichord: Patrick Chevalier

Blow was back at Westminster upon the death of Purcell on 21 November 1695, occasioning 'An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell'.

'An Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell' Ode by John Blow 1695

Countertenors: René Jacobs / James Bowman

Recorders: Ricardo Kanji / Marion Verbruggen

Baroque cello: Anner Bylsma Harpsichord: Gustav Leonhardt

The Doopsgezinde Kerk Amsterdam, Netherlands 1973

Blow became Composer to the Chapel Royal in 1699, a newly created title. The next year saw the publishing of 50 songs in 'Amphion Anglicus' dedicated to Princess Ann of Denmark. Rather than in front as a contemporary reader would expect, the table of contents for this book is in the rear where a book index would be in modern times.