Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-p2v8j Total loading time: 0.001 Render date: 2024-05-31T19:27:34.327Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Secular Music of John Blow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Get access

Extract

Of all English composers of the late seventeenth century, the name of John Blow is, with the sole exception of Purcell, the most familiar to musicians not specially versed or interested in the period. The eminence of his professional position, the superlatives commonly applied to him by his contemporaries, his intriguing but somewhat mysterious relations with Purcell, and his uncommon name have united to contribute to a tradition of greatness and an attitude of reverence. Yet our actual knowledge of his music is confined within noticeably narrow limits. In the field of Church Music, for example, in which Blow was especially active, only approximately a quarter of his output is available in modern editions: and in performing such anthems as are available, how often does the range of choice extend beyond I beheld and lo or I was in the Spirit?

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Musical Association, 1936

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 This piece is not, in that MS., ascribed to Blow, but the first half of it is the same as No. 2 of Eight Versets (Add. MS. 31468 f. 9b).Google Scholar