Francis Jackson (composer)

Francis Alan Jackson, CBE (born 2 October 1917) is a British organist and composer. He was the organist and director of music at York Minster for 36 years.

Francis Jackson

CBE
Born
Francis Alan Jackson

(1917-10-02) 2 October 1917
Malton, North Yorkshire, England
OccupationOrganist, choirmaster, conductor

Jackson was born in Malton, North Yorkshire, England, and received his early education as a chorister at York Minster under his predecessor, Sir Edward Bairstow. His first cousin once removed was the lyric soprano Elsie Suddaby.[1] He was appointed organist and director of music at York Minster in 1946 and held these positions until his retirement in 1982. Jackson played for the wedding of Elizabeth II's cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, to Katherine Worsley on 8 June 1961. The final voluntary was the final movement of Charles-Marie Widor's Symphony No. 5 for organ: Toccata, which set a fashion for the use of this piece for weddings.

Both nationally and internationally acclaimed, Jackson has given recitals and concerts all over the world and made numerous recordings of solo organ music and of choral music with the choir of York Minster.

Composition and writing

Jackson's extensive output of sacred and secular music includes canticles, anthems, hymn tunes (including the widely sung "East Acklam"), organ sonatas and other organ pieces such as "Diversion for Mixtures", two acclaimed monodramas – Daniel in Babylon and A Time of Fire, an overture, Brigantia, a concerto, a symphony, and solo songs. Jackson's creative output has continued since his retirement.

Jackson is also the author of a biography of his teacher, mentor and predecessor, Sir Edward Bairstow, entitled Blessed City: The Life and Works of Sir Edward C. Bairstow. His autobiography, Music For A Long While, was published in 2013.[2] He turned 100 in October 2017.[3]

Key events
gollark: It definitely needs feedstock for neurotransmitters and whatever.
gollark: What? I don't think that changes the ethical issues much.
gollark: It probably needs complex biomolecules of some kind, but I don't know which.
gollark: You're going to have to scrub CO2 from its blood too.
gollark: It probably needs a bit of an immune system hooked up, or really good sterilization.

References
  1. Jackson, Francis (2013). Music For a Long While. York: York Publishing Services. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-9576722-0-8.
  2. Jackson, Francis (2013). Music For a Long While. York: York Publishing Services. ISBN 978-0-9576722-0-8.
  3. Darley, Karen (16 October 2017). "Musician and composer celebrates his 100th birthday". York Press. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. Archbishop of Canterbury awards Lambeth degrees, Archbishopofcanterbury.org, 16 October 2012.
  5. "RCO News: RCO awards inaugural Honorary Medals". Rco.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. "New Honorary Fellow Elected – The Burgon Society". Burgon.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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