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