Uncommon Names Research Articles

The Secular Music of John Blow

Of all English composers of the late seventeenth century, the name of John Blow is, with the sole exception of Purcell, the most familiar to musicians not specially versed or interested in the period. The eminence of his professional position, the superlatives commonly applied to him by his contemporaries, his intriguing but somewhat mysterious relations with Purcell, and his uncommon name have united to contribute to a tradition of greatness and an attitude of reverence. Yet our actual knowledge of his music is confined within noticeably narrow limits. In the field of Church Music, for example, in which Blow was especially active, only approximately a quarter of his output is available in modern editions: and in performing such anthems as are available, how often does the range of choice extend beyond I beheld and lo or I was in the Spirit?

The Early Intercourse of the Franks and Danes. Part II

There is a passage in one of the Frankish annals which has not received the attention which it deserves, and which I believe throws a great deal of light on the history of the Danish revolutions of the early part of the ninth century. This chronicle was written in verse by a Low Saxon monk some time during the reign of Arnulph, who died in 899. Under the year 807 we read that a Norman chief named Alfdeni, accompanied by a great following, submitted to Charlemagne, and made a perpetual pact with him (Pertz, 1, 263). This notice I consider is very important. It is quite clear, from what we know of Norse modes of thought and habits, that this was no plebeian, but some distinguished chief. It is further clear that no Danish chief would put his head under the yoke of the Frank empire except under compulsion. That such a one should have willingly and freely subjected himself to the mighty Kaizer Charles is incredible; nor, again, is it to be supposed that a statement like this, in which an uncommon name is mentioned by the Saxon poet, was an invention of his own. The only alternative that remains is the view I would urge, namely, that he was a fugitive and an outcast. If a fugitive, he was in all probability escaping from the dominant chief of Denmark at this time, namely, Godfred.