for SSAATTBB, SSATTB verse and organ First edited in the 1950s by Watkins Shaw and published privately, this magnificent anthem has been revised in honour of the centenary of Shaw's birth by his successor as Honorary General Editor of the Church Music Society. The two main sources dated 1682 and 1683, one in Blow's hand and one in Purcell's, show that this is the work of a skilled contrapuntist with a feeling for chromaticism.
John Blow was an English composer of the Baroque era from Nottinghamshire. Blow was a chorister at the Chapel Royal before taking up two separate tenures as Organist at Westminster Abbey from 1668. Blow gave up this role for his famous pupil Purcell in 1679 and reclaimed the post after his death in 1697. During this break, Blow served as Organist and Choirmaster at the newly consecrated St Pauls Cathedral in 1687, was a private musician of James II, and was briefly the Organist of St Margarets Westminster. In 1700, Blow was officially made Composer to the Chapel Royal. Blows composition output is diverse, including both secular and sacred works for choirs, and instrumental music for chamber ensembles and keyboard.
