Francis Jackson (composer)
Francis Jackson | |
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| File:DrFrancisJacksonCBE.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Francis Alan Jackson |
| Born | 2 October 1917 Malton, North Yorkshire, England |
| Occupations |
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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.
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". But his 164 opus numbers range well beyond choral and solo organ music. There are two acclaimed monodramas – Daniel in Babylon and A Time of Fire - as well as the overture Brigantia, an organ concerto (1985), a symphony (1957), chamber music and solo songs. Jackson's creative output continued after his retirement in 1982. The composer himself recorded four CDs of his own organ music for Priory Records.[2] He recorded the Organ Concerto in 1999.[3] There are also two CDs of the choral works.[4][5]
Jackson is 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.[6] He turned 100 in October 2017.[7]
Key events
- 1929-1933: Chorister at York Minster under Edward Bairstow
- 1933-1940: Organist of Malton Parish Church
- 1937: Gained FRCO with the Limpus Prize
- 1946-1982: Organist of York Minster
- 1957: Gained DMus Durham University
- 1970: Became Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey
- 1972-1974: President of the Royal College of Organists
- 1978: Appointed OBE for services to music.
- 1982: On retiring from York Minster in 1982 he received the Fellowship of the Royal Northern College of Music, the Doctorate of the University of York and, at the hands of the Archbishop of York, Lord Blanch, the Order of Saint William of York.
- 2007: Promoted to CBE in the Queen's birthday honours for services to music.
- 2012: Received the Lambeth degree of DMus (Cantuar) from Archbishop of Canterbury[8]
- 2012: Awarded the inaugural Medal of the Royal College of Organists[9] "for organ playing, organ and choral composition, and choral conducting."
- 2020: Honorary Fellow of the Burgon Society.[10]
References
- ^ Jackson, Francis (2013). Music For a Long While. York: York Publishing Services. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-9576722-0-8.
- ^ The Organ Works of Francis Jackson, PRCD930
- ^ Amphion Phi CD155, reviewed at MusicWeb International
- ^ British Church Composer Series Vol. 11, PRCD841
- ^ Sacred Choral Works, Delphian DCD34035 (2017), reviewed at MusicWeb International
- ^ Jackson, Francis (2013). Music For a Long While. York: York Publishing Services. ISBN 978-0-9576722-0-8.
- ^ Darley, Karen (16 October 2017). "Musician and composer celebrates his 100th birthday". York Press. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ Archbishop of Canterbury awards Lambeth degrees, Archbishopofcanterbury.org, 16 October 2012.
- ^ "RCO News: RCO awards inaugural Honorary Medals". Rco.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "New Honorary Fellow Elected – The Burgon Society". Burgon.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
External links
- 1917 births
- Living people
- 21st-century organists
- 21st-century British male musicians
- British male organists
- British centenarians
- Cathedral organists
- Classical composers of church music
- Composers for pipe organ
- English classical composers
- English classical organists
- English male classical composers
- Alumni of Durham University
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Holders of a Lambeth degree
- Recipients of the Medal of the Royal College of Organists
- Men centenarians