Dr. John Blow (1648-1708) Author(S): F

Home , Henry Cooke (composer), John Blow

Dr. John Blow (1648-1708) Author(s): F. G. E. Source: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 43, No. 708 (Feb. 1, 1902), pp. 81-88 Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3369577 Accessed: 05-12-2015 16:35 UTC

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/ info/about/policies/terms.jsp

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

Musical Times Publications Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular. http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902. 81 THE MUSICAL composerof some fineanthems and known to TIMES everybodyas the authorof the ' Grand chant,'- AND SINGING-CLASS CIRCULAR. and William Turner. These three boys FEBRUARY I, 1902. collaboratedin the productionof an anthem, therebycalled the Club Anthem,a settingof the words ' I will always give thanks,'each young gentlemanbeing responsible for one of its three DR. JOHN BLOW movements. The origin of this anthem is variouslystated; but the juvenile joint pro- (1648-I7O8). duction doubtless owed its inception to the Two more-or-lessimportant events in the friendshipwhich existed between this distin- life of this old English worthyhave given his guishedtrio of boys. Pelham Humphreyis said biographerssome trouble-(I) the place of his to have composed the firstmovement, Willie birth,(2) the source of his degreeof Doctorof Turnerthe bass solo,and JohnnieBlow the last chorus. Music. The' earlierwriters, with the exception While still a choristerat the Chapel of Anthony Wood, give North Collingham,a Royal, Blow also set to music Herrick's'Goe, village in Nottinghamshire,as the place where perjur'dman,' in imitationof Carissimi's ' Dite o John Blow drew his firstbreath; but as no cieli,' the resultof a challengemade to Master entry of his baptism is to be found in the Blow by Charles II. to produce somethingas registersof that parish,such informationmight good as thatby the Italian master. reasonably be considered doubtful. Recent Pepys-the ever-voluble--furnishes a side- research,on thepart of Mr. Thomas M. Blagg,of light on Blow as a chorister,that is assuming Newark,in the registersof that town,proves his spelling of a certain name is not above that a JohnBlow was baptized in the Parish reproach. The gossipingdiarist records, under Church, Newark, on February 23, I649. In date of August 21, 1677, the following:- 1646, one Henry Blow marrieda Katherine This morningcome two of Captain Cooke's boys,whose Langworth,and she was a widow: they had voices are broke, and are gone fromthe Chapel, but have three children,Henry, born in 1647; John extraordinaryskill; and they and my boy, with his (above mentioned),and Katherine. As Newark broken voice, did sing three parts; their names were is withinsix miles of North Collingham,the Blaew and Loggins; but notwithstandingtheir skill, yet latterplace have been afterall to hear them sing with their broken voices, which they may probably could not commandto keep in tune, would make a man the birthplace of Dr. Blow. Perhaps his mad-so bad it was. parentswere temporarily residing there, and may there not have been some sentimentalreason The Masterof the Childrenat the Restoration forthe baptismsof those Blow infantsto have and after,was CaptainHenry Cooke, a musician takenplace at Newark? This is the who had obtainedhis commissionfor services as question: a soldierin the Is the John Blow in the Newark baptismal Royalistarmy. He had been a registersour Blow ? The case, as so choristerin the Chapel Royal in the reignof John fullyCharles and became and ably statedby Mr. Blagg in the Athenum I., subsequently ' Composer of December and to which we referredof the King's Privatemusick for Voices.' Cooke 7, 1901, was in our last issue is, we must confess, doubtless one of the teachersin music of (p. 30) ' his otherinstructors in strong. On the otherhand, Anthony Wood JohnBlow; the art are in his notes statedto have been John Hingston,one of the (1632-1695), biographical preserved musiciansof Charles andafterwards in the Bodleian Library, states that Blow I., organistto was born in London, but on the verbal Oliver Cromwell,and Dr. ChristopherGibbons. only The event in the life of our informationof Dr. Benjamin Rogers. There- great composer fore,in the of the Newark occurredin the year 1669, when he became light discovery, of at the and until other evidence be forthcoming,organist WestminsterAbbey, age of North be as the twenty-one! He succeeded Albertus Bryne, Collingham may regarded whois describedas thatfamous birthplaceof Dr. John Blow, and the year ' velvet-fingered 1648 as that of his intothe world. organist.' Pluralitiesabounded in those days, entry as the extractsfrom the ' Old Nothingis knownof his parentageor ancestry, following Cheque and the firstdefinite that we have Book of the Chapel Royal' bear testimony,in knowledge the case of the of of Master John Blow is that he was one of young organist Westminster the Childrenof the Chapel Royal upon the Abbey:- re-establishmentof that sanctuary at the I67a Mr. Roger Hill, Clearke, one of the Gent of his Restoration,in 166o. He must have begun Majties Chappell, departed this life the 2 day of his composingachievements in his boyhood,and March 1673, in whos place was sworne Mr. John during his choristership,as Clifford's' Divine Blow the i6th day of March. Services and Anthems'-dated 1663, when 1674 Mr. Pelham Humfrey, one of the Gent of his Blow was only fifteen--containsthree anthems Majties Chappell Royall and Master of the children, by him: departed this life at Windsor the i4th day of 'I willmagnifie,' ' Lord, Thou hastbeen July 1674, in whose place as Master of the children our refuge,'and 'Lord, rebukeme not.' Among came Mr. John Blow, and as Gent of the Chappell his fellowchoristers at the Chapel Royal were was sworne Mr. William Powell, a tennorfrom Pelham Humphrey-a pupil of Lully's, the Salesbury, the 21 of July 1674.

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 82 THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 19o2.

In the same year (1674), Blow took unto appointment is not recorded. One thing, himself a wife in the person of Elizabeth however, seems certain: that Purcell became Braddock, a daughter of Edward Braddock, a organist of the Abbey in 168o, and that he held Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and clerk of the post till his death in 1695. During those the Cheque to that establishment,and also a fifteenyears, Blow had more leisure to attend member of the choir of Westminster Abbey. to his Chapel Royal and other duties. What The nuptial ceremonytook place in St. Paul's, happened at Purcell's death in regard to the Covent Garden-in the same church wherein Abbey appointmentwill be told in due course. John Goss was marriedsome 150 years later-on It may be convenientat this point to mention September 30, 1674.* The Marriage Licence, that there is no evidence of Dr. Blow's ever issued from the Registry of the Vicar-General having held the organistship of St. Margaret's of Canterbury,was in these terms:- Church, Westminster,as some biographershave BLOW JOHN of St. Margaret, Westminstergent. stated. As an organist he was held in the bachelor, about 26, and ELIZABETH BRADOCKEof highestrepute. With Purcell, he took part in the same, spinster,about 20 ; consentof father,Edward memorable ' battle of the organs,' at the Temple Bradocke gent. at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, St. Church,when Father Smith and Renatus Harris Margaret Westminsteror St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 23 Sep. 1674. contested for the honour of providing that with an Blow Two while still the sanctuary organ-Smith engaged years later, holding and Purcell, then both in their prime, to play, appointmentsof Organist of WestminsterAbbey, and Harris to and Master of the Children of the employed Draghi, organist Queen Chapel Catherine, to ' touch ' his instrument- but he became of the latter Royal, organist place Smith, who doubtless owed not a little to the in succession to Dr. Gibbons. Christopher skill of Purcell and Blow, came offvictorious. Where did Blow obtain his degree of Doctor In no less esteem was Blow held as a of Music? This has baffled all John question great composer. In 1681 he composed the New at a answer. a attempts satisfactory Anthony Year's Ode for the Court, ' Great Sir, Wood-and he has been beginning copied by many others, ye of all our hearts,' and in the year it was an conferred joy 1684, -says honorarydegree upon of the Temple contest, he set Blow the of the organ John by Archbishop Canterbury, Oldham's Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, the second celebrated Sancroft. The University of Oxford celebration of its kind. It seems that he has also been but the named, unfortunately published the latter work beforeits performance, names ofmusicians thus honouredwere frequently influencedthereto the success omitted being probably by fromthe list of graduates. The follow- which had attended the issue of Purcell's Ode, from the of music ing entry catalogue composed in the It may be in the have preceding year. preserved Bodleian Library may interestingto give the preliminaryannouncement been the exercise that Blow composed for his of the work: degree :- ADVERTISEMENT. The Act song at Oxford1679 in English: beg. ' Awake There is now in the Press a most excellent Musical my lyre,' composed by Dr. John Blow. The score and Entertainmentto be performedat the Musical Feast on partes, Instrumentalland Vocall, of a piece of a Songe St. Cecilia's Day next,Nov. 22, 1684. The words made Dr. Blow for the Act composed by designed 1678, but by the late ingenious Mr. John Oldham, Author of the that Act off,it was not finisht: the next being putt yeare Satyr on the Jesuits,and other excellentPoems; and set 1679 it was transcribdand performdas a 2d songe in the to musicin or five DR. Theatre on the ii of with addition of two,three, four, partsby JOHN fryday July: onely Master of the and one of the a prelude of Mr. Bannistersin the same key, to bringe BLOW, Children, Organists the songe in. of His Majesty's Chapel Royal. That our composer was not a stranger to This Ode-scored, like Purcell's, for strings Oxford,is shown by the subjoined titles,&c., of only-was first performed at Stationers' Hall, manuscripts in the Bodleian Library:- where the festivalswere held for many years in The Latin Act songat Oxford1671: beg. ' Eia eruditum,' succession, and forthe use of which a charge of in alcaics. These are the wordes of the Songe I [2 was made. composed for the Theatre with Instrumental musick A curious statement of arrears due from the which was the of performed 7th Julybeinge friday,1671. King's purse to Blow is preservedin the Bodleian Vocal and instrumentalparts of an OxfordAct song, Here it dated the in which ' Diua tendis,' Dr. Blow. Library. is, year beginning quo by Bach and Handel were born:- Here is another puzzling question: Did Arrears due to DR. JOHN BLOW in 1685 as one of the Dr. Blow resign the post of organist of Musicians of Charles II. Westminster Abbey, or was he displaced in To John Blow for his Liverys due at ye favour of his Purcell? This sevll feasts of St Andrew 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, pupil, Henry 82, 83, 84, each interrogation has perplexed more than one 78, 79, 80, 81, Livery ?16 2 6 .. 193 io o investigator,and unfortunatelyno definitereply To him more forkeeping and teachingtwo seems possible. 'But do not the Abbey Chapter boys for 6 years at 40 poud ...... 240 o o Books give authoritative information on this ?433 Io o point?' Alas! they do not. Even Purcell's * The entry in the marriage register,though apparently dated Rather a large bill, considering the purchas- September3, is clearlyintended for the 3oth of that month,as the able value of a sovereign in those days, compared weddingcould not possiblyhave takenplace beforethe issue of the licence. with that of 1902.

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902. 83

Upon theaccession of James II., Blow became Given undermy hand this 3othday of November a memberof the Royal Band and composerin 1695, in ye Seventh year of His Maties Reign. ordinaryto His Majesty. At the coronationof DORSETT. that monarch he, with Purcell, Child, and To ye GentlemenUshers, Daily Waiters in Ordinary, Staggins,sang among the basses in the choir. to His Maties,or one of them. A furtheraddition to his duties dates fromthe when,in successionto MichaelWise, Blow paid a tributeto the memoryof his year 1687, illustrious in a Blow became Almonerand Master of the boys pupil compositionentitled:- at St. Paul's Cathedral. This post he held for An Ode on the death of Mr. Henry Purcell; Late six years,when (in 1693) he retiredin favourof servantto His Majesty and organistof the Chapel Royal his pupil,Jeremiah Clark. An oldand mutilated and of St. Peter's Westminster. document, dated April 21, 1687, and preserved The words by MR. DRYDEN and sett to Musick by in the archivesof WestminsterAbbey, is a lease DR. BLOW, from the Bishop of Rochester,as Dean of the This Ode, whichbegins ' Mark how the larkand Abbey,to JohnBlow, Mus. Doc. It relatesto linnet was in the sing,' publishedby Henry Playford property Great Sanctuary--ofa cellar, in 1696. In the followingyear, Blow was living witha loft,edifices and buildingsover the same, on an estateat Hampton,where he composedan let to Dr. Blow for fortyyears at a yearlyrental anthemfor the openingof St. Paul's Cathedral, of 6s. 8d. ! a of the words 'I was when The setting glad they compositionby which Dr. Blow is best said unto me, we will go unto the house of knownis his beautifulanthem, 'I beheld,and, the Lord.' A of this anthem,in a copy unprinted lo, greatmultitude,' the date ofits composition the Ely Cathedralcollection, bears the following beingassigned to the closeof James the Second's note: reign(circa 1688). An interestinganecdote, on the of Samuel a celebrated Dr. Blow, Hampton Town, Oct. ye 15, 1697. ' Anthem authority Weely, for of St. Paul's bass singerand a pupilof our composer's,is told ye opening Cathedral, 1697. concerningthis anthem. The King had been In the same year he wrote anotheranthem, much struckwith an anthem by some Italian 'Praise the Lord,' in celebrationof the peace composerwhich he had heard in the royal of Ryswick, and the LondonGazette of March 14, chapel. His Majesty asked Blow if he could 1697, announces a music-makingin these ' make one as good.' The Englishmanthought terms : he could, and moreover to have the promised Wednesdaynext, being the I6th inst., will be performed anthemready by the followingSunday. The in a Consort of New was York-buildings [Adelphi] Musick, promise fulfilled,and this famousanthem forthe benefitof Dr. Blowand Mr. Paisible,beginning was sung. At the conclusionof the servicethe at 8. King sent Father Petre to informBlow that His was with The name ofthe lattergentleman-' a famous Majesty greatly pleased it, master of the flute and a for that 'but,' added Petre, 'I myselfthink it too composer ' answered the instrument'-is sometimesvegetarianized as long.' That,' Blow, 'is opinion Peasable. of but one fool,and I heed it not.' The priest was so nettled this of Dr. Blow had thedistinction of beingthe first by expression contemptto hold the of to the that he meditatedrevenge, and influencedthe appointment Composer to theextent that Blow was but Chapel Royal. The old Cheque Book records King suspended, the factthus: only fora verybrief period, as the Revolution occurredshortly after. 1699 Upon a new establishmentof a composer's place Upon the deathof HenryPurcell (November for the Chapell Royal Dr. John Blow was 21, 1695), Blow, afteran intervalof fifteen years, admitted into it by a warrant from the Right resumedthe organistship of Westminster Reverend Dean, and sworn in by mee Ralph Abbey, BattellS. and retained that important office for the D., WittnessEdw. Braddock,Clerk of remainderof his life. A royalwarrant, preserved the Checke. in the Bodleian Library,is interesting-- His salary as composer was originally[40 per annum,subsequently increased to f73. An 30 Novemr. 1695. extractfrom Chamberlayne's 'Anglia Notitia, These are to requireyou to swearand admitDR. JOHN or the presentstate of England,with divers BLOWand MR.BERNARD SMITH into ye Places & Quality remarksupon the ancient state thereof,'gives of Tuners of ye Regal, Organs, Virginals, Flutes & the followingWhitakerian information, so to Recorders, and all other kind of wind Instruments in speak,in regardto the Chapel Royal appoint- Ordinary to His Maty in the place & upon the decease ments of the year 1704 :- of Mr. Henry Purcell, to enjoy the said Place equally DR. JOHN BLOW, as composer, ?73 per annum. between them, and ye Longer Liver of them to enjoy As Master of Musick, and for ye whole Place with all Salaries, Wages & all other teachingTen Children .. ?240* Rights, Profits, Privileges, & advantages there-unto As First Organist .. .. in 73 belonging as full & ample manner as Mr. Henry MR. FRANCIS PIGOT, as Second Organist .. /73 Purcell did enjoy the same, And for so doing so, this shall be your Warrant. * This sum included the cost of board and lodging of the Children.

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 84 THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902.

From this it will be seen that his Chapel use of the best Church in the ChristianWorld, under the Royal emolumentsalone were not inconsiderable, Propitious Authority of your Royal Highness's name. especiallywhen we bear in mind the value of May it please Your Royal Highness in those I am Your most Humble, most Dutiful, money days. and most devoted Servant, The year 1700 saw the publication of a very importantwork, prefixed with the composer's JOHN BLOW. R. and portraitdrawn by White, entitled:-- From the foregoing,it will be seen that Blow AMPHION ANGLICUS I A I Work I of manyI contemplatedthe issue of his sacredcompositions Compositions, I for one, two, three, and four in a similar form,but this projectwas never voices: I with several Accompagnements of carriedout. The 'AmphionAnglicus' contains InstrumentalMusick; I and I A Thorow-Bass to no less than fifteenlaudatory poems, more or each song : figur'd for an Organ, Harpsichord, less of a doggerelcharacter, in praise of its or Theorboe-Lute I By DR. JOHN BLOW. composer. Some were by old pupils-e.g., London : W. Crofts(Dr. Croft),organist of St. Ann's, Printedby William Pearson, forthe Author; and to Soho, whoseconcluding lines are :- be sold at his House in the Broad-Sanctuary,over- As I my Voice maturein Judgmentraise against Westminster-Abby,and by Henry Playford, And Imitatethe Beauties now I Praise. at his Shop in the Temple-Change, Fleet-street, MDCC. and Henry Hall (Senr.), organistof Hereford Cathedral, who burst into poetry after this The language of the dedicationis high-flown:manner:- hereare some extracts:- The art of Descant,late our Albion'sboast With that of StainingGlass, we thoughtwas lost; To Her Royal Highness, the PRINCESS ANN OF Till in this workwe all withWonder view, DENMARK. What ever Art,with order'd Notes can do, Madame, Corelli'sHeights, with Great Bassani's too; And Britain's learn'd his Art from The excellentArt of Musick,was thoughtby many Orpheus you. im- of the Wisest Ancients,to have derived its Original Tom D'Urfey expressedhimself in sentiments mediately from Heaven; as one of the First, most thuslaudatorywise :- beneficial Gifts of the Divine Goodness to Mankind: So whilst Race can to draw and the and Apollo's sing thereby allure, old, rude, untaught Great Blow will be true Musick's King. World, into Civil Societies; and so to softenand prepare theirMinds for the easier reception of all otherAccom- The followingreceipt, preserved in the Bodleian plishmentsof Wisdom and Vertue. Library,doubtless refers to theissue of' Amphion Anglicus,'and shows that paymentin advance was not unknownin Give me leave, Madame, to tell You, I am preparing, I699:- as fast as I can . . . a Second Musical Present . . . Received this 7thof July1699 of Mr. Phil Hart 8s being my Church Services, and Divine Compositions. the first payment of a Subscription to the above To these, in truth,I have ever more especially conse- mention'd'collection of Songs: and upon Payment of crated the Thoughts of my whole Life. All the rest I fourmore a Book shall be deliver'd by me to the Bearer hereof. consider but as the Blossoms, or rather the Leaves; Jo BLOW. those I esteem as the Fruits of all Labours in only my out' this kind. With them I began my firstYouthful Rap- An example of the mannerof 'giving turesin this Art: With them, I hope calmly and com- hymn-tuneson the organtwo hundredyears ago fortablyto finishmy days. Nor will my Mind be ever at is furnishedin the followingextract froman rest, till I have offer'dthem up to God, for the Publick oblongfolio book entitled:

THE PSALMS BY DR. BLOW SET FULL FOR THE ORGAN OR HARPSICHORD

AS THEY ARE PLAY'D IN CHURCHES OR CHAPELS. [1700?

PSALM THE I00, PROPER TUNE.

_ _ _- - _ -

--d - -- -

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902. 85

iIlk'::::,4,

so.~

THE MONUMENT TO DR. JOHN BLOW IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Photographedspecially for this article by Mr. ThomasJ. Wright.

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 86 THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902.

Concerningthe royal functionsin which he Item I give to myNeice Elizabeth Blow fiftypounds had a share,mention must be made of the two of lawfullmoney of Greate Brittainto be disposed of as anthems himfor the coronationof my said daughtersshall thinkfitt for her use, and six composedby pounds of the like lawfullmoney to buy her mourning. JamesII.-' Behold,O God, our Defender'and Item I give my said daughtersall my arrearsthat ' God spake sometimesin visions'- and his shall become due to me att the time of my decease participationin the funeralof William III., for whatsoverto be equally divided amongst thempaying the legacies and debts out of the firstmoneys they which,according to an old documentpreserved shall receive of mine. in WestminsterAbbey, he receivedthe odd sum Item All the rest and residue of my Estate what- of sevenshillings and ten pence! soever both real and personale plate linnen and Dr. Blow 'dyed,' as the Cheque Book states, household goods I give and bequeath unto my said on October He had his three daughters Katherine Elizabeth and Mary Blow I, 1708, aged sixty. ' equally to be divided between them share and share full pay for both places to Christmas'-i.e., the alike. Chapel Royal appointments of Organist and Lastly I doe nominate and appoint my said three Composer, and Master of the Children. We daughters Katherine Elizabeth and Mary Blow execu- trices of this last and also do a complete of his my Will, nominate give copy will: and appoint the Rev. Dr. Ralph Battle sub-dean IN THE NAME OF GOD. AMEN. of her Majestys Chapell Royall whom The of (to 3rd day January year 1707 I John Blow of I give a guinea to buy him a ring) trusteeof this my Parish of St MargarettsWestminster county Middlesex last will and testament and void all Doctor Revoking making Musick being sick in body, but of sound and formeror other will or wills, legacies bequests or perfectmind and memorythanks be given unto God executorsby me heretoforenamed willedor therefore to mind bequeathed Calling the mortalityof my ffiesh Ratifyingand confirmingthis and noe otherto be my and knowingit is appointedfor all men once to dye Do last will and testament. In witnesswhereof I hereunto make and ordain this my last will and testament have sett my hand and seale the and first is day year (that to say) first and principally I give and above writtenand in the sixth year of the reigne of recommend my soul into the hands of God who our souveraigneLady Queene Anne of Greate Brittain. it I shall be saved the meritsof gave hoping through BLOW. death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ And as JOHN for my body it being of the mass and substanceof the Signed sealed and published and pronounced and earth to the earth I committo be decentlyburied at declared by the said JohnBlow to be his last will and the discretion of my executricxes hereafternamed testamentin the presenceof And for such worldly goods and estate as it hath Tho Whitehead Henry Hart Snr Alex Hazelar his pleased God to bless me with in this life (my servant. debts and funeral charges being first paid and These words being interlinedin the sixteenthline- satisfied) I give devise and dispose of the same in viz. to my daughterElizabeth Blow. manner and forme following (that is to say) Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dr. Blow was buried, near his pupil, Henry Katherine Blow my two messauges or tenementsin in the northaisle of Westminster in Purcell, Abbey, the Great Sanctuary Westminsteraforesaid which the door to the as the I hold by lease or leases fromthe Dean and Chapter of 'against going up organ,' Westminsteraforesaid and to my daughterElizabeth Burial-book records, referringof course to the Blow my two messauges or tenements in Orchard then location of the Abbey instrument. We Street in Westminsterwhich I hold by lease from give a photograph, taken specially for this Sir Robert Pye forand during all the restand residue of Dr. Blow's of the termeor termesto come in the said lease or leases article, monumentin Westminster paying out of the said two last messaugesor tenements Abbey. The celebrated Gloria,from his service to her sister Mary Blow Three pounds per annum in C, engraved thereupon,is said to have been lawful money of Greate Brittain by quarterly sung at St. Peter's, Rome. Its introductioninto paymentswithout any deductionfor taxes. the service of that church was due to Cardinal Item I give and bequeath to my said daughter Elizabeth Blow all that messauge and tenementin the Howard, to whom a copy was given by the Great SanctuaryWestminster aforesaid now in posses- Rev. Dr. Battell, Sub-Dean of the Chapel sion of my father-in-lawEdward Braddock Gentleman Royal. which I hold by lease fromthe Dean and Chapter of Westminsteraforesaid. His wife predeceased him. Of their five died at the of Item I give to my said daughter Mary Blow my children,John-who age fifteen, three messauges or tenements in Duck Lane in and who was buried in the cloisters-showed Westminsteraforesaid which I hold by lease or leases of in the words of from great promise musicianship; Sir Robert Pye for and during all the rest and Dr. ' he was a of towardness residueof the termeor termesto come in the said lease Busby, youth great or leases. and extraordinaryhopes.' The last surviving Item I give and bequeath unto my said three child, a daughter,who died in 1738, was buried daughters Katherine, Elizabeth and Mary Blow all in her father's grave. She bequeathed the sum that my copyhold estate situate lying and being in of one shilling to her brother-in-law,besides the towne of Hampton county Middlesex with the which he had borrowed from appurtenancesthereunto belonging to be sold to the 'eight guineas her best purchaser and the money arising thereby to be servant, if he did not repay her.' It is evident equally divided between them share and share alike that Miss Mary Blow had a firm belief in togetherwith all the goods thereuntobelonging. the maxim: ' Where there's a will there's a Item I give unto Elizabeth Luddington my true and faithfulservant the summeof one hundredpounds way. lawfull money of Greate Brittain and Ten pounds of Dr. Blow was a very voluminous composer. like lawfullmoney to buy her mourning,also my rings Very little of his music has, however, been which I wear, all my wearingcloaths, morning gowne, and linnen. printed. The manuscripts are scattered in Item various places-e.g., the libraries of the British I give and bequeath to my sister Cage fifty pounds of lawfull money of Greate Brittain,and ten Museum; the Bodleian and Christ Church, pounds of like lawfullmoney to buy her mourning. Oxford; the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge; the Royal

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY 1, 1902. 87

College of Music; St. Michael's College, Ten- of cases his attempts were not successful. In bury; and in the private collections of Dr. W. his case, as in many subsequent ones, the pursuit H. Cummings, Mr. John S. Bumpus, Mr. T. W. of " originalityat any price " has interferedsadly Taphouse, and others. To give a list of the with what otherwise might have proved a very many compositions would serve no useful brilliantcareer.'" purpose, even were it possible to do so. The Against this must be placed the opinion of majoritywere writtenfor the Church. Mr. Myles Henry Purcell, his pupil, who referredto his Foster, in his 'Anthems and Anthem Composers,' master,Dr. Blow: ' as one of the Greatest Masters gives the titles of upwards of ioo anthems, and in the World.' In this connection the following no less than fourteen services can be traced. well-expressedwords of Mr. W. Barclay Squire, A thematic catalogue of the sacred compositions, the writer of the article on Blow in the made by Vincent Novello, is in the British ' Dictionary of National Biography,' merit Museum (ADD. MSS. 33,239 f. 117). Several quotation :- of the anthems have orchestralaccompaniments. His compositionshave for beenmost As to other compositions, in addition to those long undeservedly neglected. During his lifetimehe was overshadowed already referredto, mentionshould be made ofthe by Purcell, and in later yearsthe attackwhich Burneymade Odes, &c., he composed forthe St. Cecilia's Day his musicdeterred celebrations of Te Deum and upon musiciansfrom investigating its 1684, 1691, 1695 (a merits for themselves. Those who have done so are scored for two two Jubilate, violins, trumpets, unanimous in thinkingthat stricturesreflect and and several Odes for New Burney's bass) 1700; more discreditupon his criticalacumen thanupon Blow's Year's an on the much lamented Day; 'Elegy music, which was in many respectsfar in advance of the loss of sacred and Queen Mary'; many songs age in whichhe wrote,and displaysan extraordinary duets (in Playford's Harmonia Sacra, 1688 and degreeof powerand individuality. &c.), catches (printed in the Catch Club, 1714, to his is borne the Pleasant Musical Companion), and secular Testimony organ playing by the Rev. Arthur who states in his songs, contained in Joyful Cuckoldom (1693) Bedford, book, entitled 'The Great Abuse of Musick' and other collections of the day. His only (1711), that Blow work forthe stage was a setting of Venus and was ' reckon'd the Greatest Master in Adonis, the manuscript of which is in the the World forplaying most gravely and seriously in his Voluntaries.' His fame as a Chapter Library, Westminster. teacher is known his The instrumentalworks include organ music by greatest pupil, Henry Purcell; others who studied under him were and the followingpublished works, both bearing among Dr. and Clark. somewhat quaint titles:-- Croft,John Robinson, Jeremiah In this connection it may be interestingto refer A choicecollection of Sett Lessons,being excellently to the fact that Dr. Blow have contemplated to the Old Simon the may Harpsichord,viz., King, Moteley's a treatise on the theoryof music. The British Mortlack's Ground, and several others. Maggot, By Museum contains a manuscript in his hand- BLOW, Mus. Doc., and HENRY PURCELL. London. JOHN writing (ADD. MSS. headed ' Rules for 1705. 34,072), playing a Thorough Bass upon Organ or A choice Collection of Lessons for the Harpsichord, Harpsicon.' We give an extract from this Spinnet, &c., containing four Setts, As Grounds, curious old document : Almands,Corants, Sarabands, Minuets, and Jiggs. By To all notes a samibreif,minom, or JOHN BLOW, Mus. Doc. counterpoint being chrochet (unless a 6th), you must play wthyour Right In his article on ' Variations' in Grove's hand an 8th, 5th, & 3d, as it shall happen most con- ' Dictionary of Music and Musicians' (vol. iv., venient to your hand: not playing two 8ths or 5ths p. 219), Sir Hubert Parry refersto one of Blow's ascendingor descendingtogether. It is a generalrule Grounds. when yourBass ascends to avoid playing 5ths & 8ths in The compositions of Blow were to some ex- counterpoint,your Treble must descend towards your tent influenced by those of his fellow-chorister,Bass. But you may play as many 3ds or sixes ascending Pelham Humphrey, who, as a pupil of Lully's, or descendingas you please, theybeing imperfectcords. had acquired a certain freedom of expression Not good. Good. frowned upon by the old dry-as-dust contra- puntists of the time, and who, like the poor, are i ---1 always with us. Much of Blow's Church music is written in triple rhythm, and in the verse _fr _tr anthemshis frequentuse of thealto solo-of which 'I beheld, and lo!' contains a most beautiful example-is greatlyand melodiouslyin evidence. His licences in harmony called forththe severe censure of Dr. Burney. Even in our own day, Ouseley, while admitting that the compositions of Blow contain 'some masterly movements,' says, 'he always appears to have been trying experiments in harmony, and new * 'The History of Music.' By Emil Naumann. Cassell: 1886, contriving vol. ii., p. 753. (Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley contributed the chapters on combinations and discords, and in the majority English Music in this work.)

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 88 THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1902.

In conclusion, the appearance and personality Sub-Dean of the Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Edgar of the subject of this biography can best be Sheppard, in two sumptuous volumes published described in the words of Sir John Hawkins, in 1894 by Messrs. Longmans. This, with the who says: ' Dr. Blow was a very handsome reprint of ' The Old Cheque Book, or Book of man in his person, and remarkable fora gravity Remembrance of the Chapel Royal, from1561 to and decency in his deportment suited to his 1744,' edited forthe Camden Society by the late station, though he seems by some of his com- Dr. Rimbault, furnishample material for a few positions to have been not altogether invincible historical notes. to the delights of a convivial hour. He was a Before treating of the strictly musical part man of blameless morals, and of a benevolent of the subject, we may refer to some quaint temper; but was not so insensible of his own customs and curious incidents. First in regard worth as to be totally free from the imputation to Royal warrants and 'orders.' In 1622, King of pride. Among church composers he has few James I. decreed that- equals, and scarce any superior.' Noe man whatsoverpresume to wayte upon us to the For kind help in the preparation of this Chappell in bootes and spurs. biographical sketch-the compilation of which An order of ' Charles the the Grace has not by any means been an easy task-thanks Second, by of addressed ' To our and well are due to the followingfriends God,' righttrusty :- beloved Cousin and Councillor Edward, Earl of Sir Frederick Bridge, Mr. John S. Bumpus, Dr. W. H. his Closterman Sandwich, Master of our Great Wardrobe,' Cummings (for kindly lending included the portraitof Dr. Blow for reproduction),the Warden of followingamong the articles-more St. Michael's College, Tenbury(the Rev. JohnHampton), or less ecclesiastical-required forthe Chapel:- and last,but not least,Mr. T. W. Taphouse,of Oxford, Item-two bare hydes of oxe leather. forspecially valuable aid. Item-three thousand of tenterhookes,three ha~iers, F. G. E. one fireshovle, one pare of tongs,'threeblack jacks, three gispens,two brushes, one perfumingpan of iron,six houre THE CHAPEL ROYAL. glasses, and a paire of strongiron andirons; and thatyou contentand pay formaking the premisses.* An old-world environmentis a characteristic in ordered the Yeoman feature of St. James's Palace. The wayfarer Queen Anne, 1702, ' of Her wardrobe' to who approaches the venerable building fromthe Majesty's removing provide three umbrellas for the and two street of Clubs-St. James's Street-is struck Chapel Royal, for the Ante - Burnet had with the appearance of the Great Gateway, or Chapel. Bishop a with this Henry VIII. Gate, with the clock over it. To previously 'lodged complaint' monarch as Princess Anne the the right of that sentry-guarded portal is a against 'ogling and which was for ever large window, which is the window above the sighing being indulged in at the and his in altar of the Chapel Royal. The chapel forms Chapel Royal; lordship in order to a part of the Palace, and is entered through the consequence begged that, prevent recurrence of such the be Great Gateway above mentioned. It is only scenes, pews might raised and made into as in fact sixty-two feet long, and is arranged like a higher, closets, afterwards College chapel. Its roofis of copper, instead of they were.' III. a attendant at the ordinarylead. The most remarkable featureof George was regular but the and the the interioris the ceiling, quaint in design and services, Queen Royal Family, offone used to leave the exceedingly handsome; the work of Holbein dropping by one, King, the and His (temp.Henry VIII.), it is an excellent example Parson, Majesty's Equerry 'to of his fine taste and skill. There are five freeze it out together.' Thackeray relates that His used to beat time with his music galleries to the Royal Closet ' Majesty Chapel--the roll while the anthem was If the (facing the altar), the peeresses' gallery, one being sung. below was talkative or down for the household, another for strangers, and page inattentive, would come roll on the lastly one forthe organ. the music young scape- head.' In order of the Though structurallyso small, the building has grace's powdered 'the the the Gentleman been the scene of great and brilliant King's receiving Sacrament,' ceremonies-- of the had to eat a of bread for example, the marriage of Queen Victoria Pantry first piece before it offeredto the in to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in was Royal Family; one document this of the 1840; that of their eldest daughter,the Princess ' Gentleman Pantry' is A Royal, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia called the 'Yeoman of the Mouth.' (afterwards German Emperor), in 1858; and reparteeof Queen Victoria, at the age of nineteen, that of the Prince and Princess of Wales, in is recorded in the answer to a question addressed 1893. The exact period at which Divine Service to her afterchapel by the Marquis of Normanby. was firstheld in this particular ' Royal Peculiar' 'Did not your Majesty findit very hot ?' 'Yes,' is unknown,but it certainly dates from the time she replied 'and the sermon was very hot too!' of Charles I., the records of a though Chapel * Black jacks were large cans made of leather, formerlyin great use Royal go back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. for small beer. A gispen, or gispin, was a small pot or cup made of The of St. leather. The perfumingpan of iron was for the incense used in the history James's Palace, including a Chapel Royal upon all special occasions and at coronations. The full account of the royal has been King's Groom of the Vestry, clad in a scarlet dress, holding a sanctuary, perfuming pan, burning perfumes, 'as at previous coronations,' fully and interestingly told by the present appeared in the procession at the coronation of George III.

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions The Musical Times.] (Fromthe portrait by Closterman, in thepossession of [February I, 1902. Dr. W. H. Cummings,and reproducedby his kindpermisszon.)

......

'6/ 7 4 .

This content downloaded from 137.189.170.231 on Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:35:56 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions