John Blow

Life

Born: 23 February 1649

Died: 01 October 1708

Biography

The entry in Cathedral Music, Volume 1 (William Boyce) reads:

John Blow was one of the first Set of Children of the Royal Chapels immediately after the Restauration, and became Organist thereof March 16th, 1673. He succeeded Pelham Humphrys as Master of the said Children, in 1674; and afterwards had the Degree of Doctor in Music conferr'd on him by Archbishop Sancroft. He was also Master of the Choristers of th Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London, which Place he resign'd in 1693, upon being chose Organist of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster; and when the Place of Composer to the Royal Chapels was first establish'd, in 1699, he was appointed to it.

Among his Pupils, besides the late Henry Purcell, were Jeremiah Clarke, Dr. William Croft, and many others, of great Reputation, some of whom are still living.

He was buried in Westminster-Abbey.

On his Monument is the following Inscription:

Here lieth the Body of John Blow, Doctor in Musick, who was Organist, Composer, and Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal for the Space of 35 Years, in the Reigns of K. Charles II, K. James II, K. William and Q. Mary, and her present Majesty Q. Anne: And also Organist of this Collegiate Church about 15 Years. He was Scholar to the excellent Musician Dr. Christopher Gibbons, and Master to the famous Mr. Henry Purcell, and most of the eminent Masters in Musick since. He died Oct. 1st, 1708, in the 60th Year of his Age. His own Musical Compositions (especially his Church Musick) are a far nobler Monument to his Memory, than any other can be raised for him.

Note, There is on the same Stone a Gloria Patri, with the Music to it, as on Page 263 of this Volume.

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View the Wikipedia article on John Blow.

List of choral works

• For works at CPDL sorted alphabetically by title, see John Blow compositions

Canticles Cantate Domino in A Cantate Domino in E minor Deus misereatur in A Deus misereatur in E minor Jubilate Deo in A Jubilate Deo in E minor Jubilate Deo in G Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in G Te Deum in A Te Deum in E minor Te Deum in G Communion settings Kyrie in A Kyrie in E minor Kyrie in G Kyrie in G (triple time) Nicene creed in A Nicene creed in E minor Nicene creed in G Nicene creed in G (triple time)

Full anthems Behold, O God our defender God is our hope and strength Let my prayer come up Let thy hand be strengthened The Lord hear thee My days are gone like a shadow My God, my God, look upon me Praise the Lord, ye servants Verse anthems Be merciful unto me O Lord God spake sometime in visions I beheld and lo, a great multitude I was in the spirit O God, wherefore art thou absent O Lord, I have sinned O Lord, thou hast searched me out O pray for the peace of Jerusalem O sing unto God Save me O God Teach me thy way, O Lord Turn thee unto me Other sacred works Glory be to the Father Salvator mundi

Secular works

Solo works Lovely Selina The self banished The sullen years are past

Other secular works Catch on the battle at Hailbron He leaves he flights Mark how the Lark and Linnet sing On the king's coming home

 
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External links

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