Date: 16th November 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
National Treasure at the Cathedral!
Born in Malton in 1917, at 95 years old Dr Francis Jackson, Organist Emeritus at York Minster, gave
a packed Cathedral a rare treat on Wednesday with an exciting programme which ended with the
exhilarating Prelude in C by Sir Edward Bairstow – Dr Jackson’s predecessor at York Minster and
his organ teacher and mentor. Also notable were the variations on a hymn tune by William Mathias
which Dr Jackson broadcast from the Cathedral in 1971 … he expressed the hope that it wasn’t
too soon a repeat!
Whilst at the Cathedral, Dr Jackson was introduced to Organ Scholar Henry Websdale – eighty
years his junior – a remarkable feat to get the country’s oldest and youngest organ recitalists
together.
A very popular figure in the music profession, both nationally and internationally, Dr Jackson was a
chorister at York Minster from 1929 – 1933 and a pupil of Sir Edward Bairstow. He studied music
at Durham University and became assistant organist of York Minster before succeeding Bairstow
there in 1946 where he remained until his retirement in 1982, becoming Organist Emeritus.
Dr Jackson played for the wedding of the Queen’s cousin Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to
Katherine Worsley in 1982 where the final voluntary was Widor’s Toccata which set a precedent
for the use of this piece for weddings.
The Cathedral’s organ recital series attracts many excellent and well-known players to play
Wednesday lunchtimes during term time. Next week (21st) Jonathan Eyre gives his first organ
recital as the Cathedral’s new Assistant Director of Music. This season continues until 5th
December and resumes on Wednesday 30th January with Professor Ian Tracey, international
recitalist and organist at Liverpool Cathedral.
Organ recitals begin at 1.05pm for approximately 45minutes: admission is free with a retiring
collection. For more details call the Cathedral Office on 01274 777720.
END
Sandra Howard
01274 777723
sandra.howard@bradfordcathedral.org
YOURS : FAITHFULLY
info@bradfordcathedral.og
www.bradfordcathedral.org
Bradford Cathedral, Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH
T: 01274 777720 F: 01274 777730
2
YOURS : FAITHFULLY
info@bradfordcathedral.og
www.bradfordcathedral.org
Bradford Cathedral, Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH
T: 01274 777720 F: 01274 777730