Francis Jackson Birthday Celebration

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The next in the series of Huddersfield Town Hall’s fortnightly streamed organ concerts will be a celebration of the 103rd birthday of the great British organist and composer Francis Jackson, available from 1pm on Monday 5 October.
Kirklees Borough Organist Dr Gordon Stewart will perform three works by Jackson - best known for his long tenure as organist and director of music at York Minster - and share a previously unheard archive interview with him during the concert.
Dr Gordon Stewart comments:
"Following our celebration of Francis Jackson's centenary year with a memorable Huddersfield concert in 2017, we're delighted to able to mark his birthday again this year, and to reach a wider audience than ever as our season of streamed events continues.
"The programme includes Francis' first published work, which he wrote during World War II, and I'm very excited to share a chat that I had with him about five years ago, which is full of great stories about his long life in music, going back to his time as a chorister under Sir Edward Bairstow."

[@lynnaelarson6784]

Wonderful to be introduced to this very talented and learned man who gave so much of his gifts to others!! Thank you Dr. Jackson!!
Blessings!
Lynn Larson CT UsA

[@michaelspilman5220]

So sad that this great man is no longer with us . Rest in peace francis . From Michael from Yorkshire and proud of it .

[@philgrainge3749]

So sad this great man is no longer with us. I met him a couple of times and found him to be so kind and humble, a sign of a greatness! As a none musician but an avid listener to organ music I found his playing unbelievably superb but I cannot explain in musical terms why this is other than to say maybe that his heart and soul went into every performance which made it so unique.

[@chrisgreenwood1020]

I feel honoured to have lived in this man's era, he is fantastic, I met him once here when he came to St Stephen's Bournemouth, he is a gentleman.

[@haroldreay2499]

Thank you Gordon. Happy birthday Francis. Many memories from the late fifties/early sixties as a page turner note giver for Minster services.

[@johnloud5673]

A thoroughly enjoyable interview with an organist for whom I've always had the highest regard. He is greatly missed as an active performer as age has overtaken him, and I hope that he will find his rightful place in the pantheon of "greats" in due course. It is as richly deserved by him as it ever could be.

[@pmorrison4657]

Congratulations Gordon that was very special. I did some study with Francis to prepare for FRCO he was wonderful with me and managed to get someone of only average ability a pass. Peter Morrison