Background
John Blow was born on 23 February in 1649 in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
John Blow was born on 23 February in 1649 in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
John studied under John Hingeston and Dr. Gibbons, becoming a skilful organist.
John was the teacher of Henry Purcell. Very early he showed great talent as a composer, and a number of his first works were included in Clifford's Divine Services. In 1660, he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal, and in 1668 he was appointed organist at Westminster Abbey. Five years later, he was made a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and soon after was appointed master of the choristers there (June 1674). He also became one of the organists to that group. In 1679, he was replaced by Henry Purcell as organist at Westminster Abbey. Following the premature death of his brilliant pupil, Blow returned to the Abbey in 1695, where he continued to serve for the rest of his life. From 1687 to 1702, Blow was master of the choristers at St. Paul's. He composed more than a hundred anthems, a number of services, works for the harpsichord, and wrote one work for the stage, Venus and Adonis.