Clarke, Jeremiah

Leben und Werk

English composer. A chorister of the Chapel Royal under John Blow in London by 1685 through 1692?. Held the post of organist at Winchester College from 1692 until 1695. From 1699 was vicar-choral, then organist, then almoner and Master of the Choristers (succeeding his teacher John Blow in 1704) at St. Paul's Cathedral, London. In addition, from 1700 was a Gentleman Extraordinary of the Chapel Royal and from 1704 until his death (by suicide) organist there (jointly with William Croft). He composed services and anthems, psalms and hymns; ceremonial odes, much music for plays and other stage works and instrumental music. Jeremiah Clarke is best known for a Trumpet Voluntary arranged for trumpet and organ by Henry Wood and attributed by Wood to Henry Purcell. Clarke published it with the title "The Prince of Denmark's March" in a collection of harpsichord pieces in 1700; but Clarke also included it among some pieces for winds.