Western religious music from different centuries: John Blow (1649-1708).
Today’s programme features music by John Blow, teacher and close friend to Henry Purcell. We focus on his religious works.
John Blow was described by British musicologist Bruce Woods as “one of the greatest English composers who has not been entirely forgotten”.
These days, Blow is almost exclusively known for his masque ‘Venus and Adonis’. The rest of his oeuvre is rarely performed.
Playlist:
John Blow (1649-1708)
1. Anthem “I said in the cutting off of my days”
Les Voix Baroques led by Alexander Weimann
(Album: “O poore distracted world!” – ATMA ACD2 2630, 2012)
2. Anthem “As on Euphrates’ shady banks”
Charivari Agréable led by Kah-Ming Ng
(Album: “The Oxford Psalms” – Signum Classics SIGCD093, 2007)
3. Anthem “I was glad when they said unto me”
Robin Blaze, Ashley Stafford, alto. Rogers Covey-Crump, Mark Le Brocq, tenor. Andrew Dale Forbes, bass. Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral and The Parley of Instruments led by John Scott
(Album: “Music for St Paul’s” – Hyperion CDA67009, 1998)
4. Anthem “Cry aloud and spare not”
5. Anthem “O Lord, I have sinned”
6. Anthem “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious”
Robin Blaze, alto. Joseph Cornwell, William Kendall, tenor. Stephen Varcoe, Stephen Alder, bass. Winchester Cathedrall Choir and The Parley of Instruments led by David Hill
(Album: “Anthems” – Hyperion CDA67031/2, 1995)
Addition:
7. Voluntary in D minor
Gustav Leonhardt, organ
(Album: Purcell & Blow, “Voluntaries, Suites and Grounds” – Philips 446 000-2, 1995)
