The Early Music Show - 05/10/2008

Catherine Bott presents a programme which looks at the life and music of the seventeenth century composer, Dr John Blow. Most famous as Henry Purcell's teacher, John Blow was a highly respected composer in his own right, and is considered to be the finest composer of keyboard music from the Restoration period.. Born in Newark on Trent, Blow was taken to London as a boy to sing in the newly reformed Royal Chapel Choir. When his voice broke, he turned his attention to the keyboard and soon gained a position at Westminster Abbey, as well as a number of posts within the Royal circle. Blow not only served King Charles II, but also wrote coronation anthems for James II, William and Mary, and Queen Anne; his output also included a great deal of organ music, church services, secular songs, and what is widely considered to be the first true English opera: Venus & Adonis. Playlist: Blow - Flavia grown old John Mark Ainsley (tenor) / Timothy Roberts (harpsichord) HYPERION CDA 66646 Track 9 Blow – I will always give thanks The Sixteen / The Symphony of Harmony and Invention Conducted by Harry Christophers CORO 16041 Track 4 Blow – Sett No.4in C major Robert Woolley (spinet) MERIDIAN CDE 84464 Tracks 14-17 Blow – Magnificat in G Choir of Ely Cathedral / David Price (organ) Directed by Paul Trepte PRIORY PRCD 592 Track 3 Blow – God spake sometimes in visions Winchester Cathedral Choir / The Parley of Instruments Conducted by David Hill HYPERION CDA 67031 Disc 1 Track 1 Blow – The Lord God is a sun and a shield Choir of New College Oxford / The Academy of Ancient Music Conducted by Edward Higginbottom DECCA 470 226-2 Track 12 Blow – Ode on the death of Mr Henry Purcell (opening) James Bowman / Rene Jacobs (countertenors) Ricardo Kanji / Marion Verbruggen (recorders) / Anna Bylsma (cello) / Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichord) PHILIPS 657 5016 Track 1 Blow – Venus and Adonis (Overture) New London Consort Conducted by Philip Pickett L’OISEAU LYRE 440 220-2 Track 11