Blow: An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell

John Blow is one of the greatest of not-quite-forgotten English composers. Conscripted as a choirboy from Newark Parish Church to the Chapel Royal of Charles II he rose to become royal choirmaster by his mid-twenties and organist of Westminster Abbey – a post he generously yielded in 1679 to his pupil, the brilliant Henry Purcell. The lives and careers of the two men remained closely intertwined, attested by the deeply-wrought emotions of Blow’s great funeral ode. 

Featured works

• Blow: Begin the Song!
• Blow: Chaconne a 4 in G Major
• Blow: An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
• Blow: Ground in G Minor
• Blow: The Nymphs of the wells
• Blow: Sonata in A Major
• Blow: Dread Sir, the Prince of Light

Press & Praise

GRAMOPHONE

“For many, getting to know these pieces will be persuasion enough, but the performances complete the seduction with their expert playing and singing, vigorous but tastefully realised sense of style and … firmly shaped contours and effective illustrative touches … with a recording that is wonderfully clear and alive, everything seems to be going right for Jonathan Cohen at present.”

THE OBSERVER

“There is so much to enjoy in this superb collection of John Blow’s odes and instrumental music: fine solo and ensemble singing, beautifully articulated strings, crisp and tangy theorbos, punchy baroque guitar, all driven by the abundantly talented Jonathan Cohen at the harpsichord and chamber organ.”

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

“Duets for high tenor seem to have been something of a Blow speciality…and in Samuel Boden and Thomas Walker, director Jonathan Cohen has harnessed a quintessentially English sound whose lyricism fits the vocal writing like a glove…Throughout, the instrumental contribution is a joy; Cohen’s direction a model of stylish empathy and suavely-negotiated gear changes.”