Tributes have been paid today to Francis Jackson, composer, organist and former director of music at York Minster, who has died at the age of 104.
Dr Jackson was a towering figure in the world of church music, and universally acknowledged as a wonderfully kind and generous man.
The news was broken today by his children. They said: “With sadness Alice, Will, and Eddie have to let you all know that our dad, Francis Jackson, died peacefully yesterday, 10th January, 2022. With gratitude we celebrate such a long and fruitful life.
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“There will be further information once arrangements are confirmed.”
Paying tribute, the Dean of York Jonathan Frost said: “Today the community at York Minster mourns the loss of an inspirational organist emeritus.
“Until the very end of his life, Francis retained an active, humorous and intellectually razor-sharp interest in the musical life of York Minster. Francis has been an inspiration to generations of choristers and musicians alike; here in York and across the world.
“He leaves a living legacy in the vibrant life of the choir of York Minster, through a body of work and musical compositions which are sung or played at the Minster on a regular basis. We will miss him very much and pray for Alice, Edward, William and his family at this time.”
York Minster’s director of music, Robert Sharpe said: “The world of church music has lost one of the great legends of our time with the death, peacefully, of Dr Francis Jackson.
“His was a remarkably long and illustrious life and he remained active as a superb organ recitalist into his tenth decade and, as a composer, into his eleventh.
“His name will forever be associated with York Minster where he served for so many years and whose organ was made justly famous by his pioneering recordings.”
An extraordinary man
People have been leaving tributes to Dr Jackson on a Facebook group dedicated to his life and work.
“So so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful man and inspiration to so many,” said Patricia Woodcock.
“So sad: a tremendous musician and a true gentleman,” wrote Andrew Padmore.
“He had an influence on so many people through his music, his practical work and playing, and his wonderful personality. We’re lucky to have shared even a little with him,” wrote James Davy.
And Paul Ferguson summed it up: “Francis’s death brings a chapter in the history of British music to a close.
“It is amazing to think that it is three quarters of a century since he was appointed organist of York Minster. An extraordinary and wonderful man and musician.”
‘Talent of a high order’
Dr Jackson was born in Malton on 2 October 1917.
“At the age of eleven he came to the notice of the Minster organist, Sir Edward Bairstow, who spotted talent of a high order in his piano playing and enrolled him as a chorister without having to serve a probationary year,” recalled Roger Nichols in Classical Music.
Dr Jackson served in North Africa during the war. On his return he joined York Minster as assistant organist.
He was appointed organist and director of music at the Minster in 1946 and held these positions for 36 years, until his retirement in 1982.
“Over the next 66 years he gave over 2,000 organ recitals, only two of which were at his own request, the remainder all asked for by others,” Roger Nichols wrote.
Dr Jackson played at the royal wedding in 1961, when Prince Edward, Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley at York Minster.
He was a renowned composer of sacred and secular music, and has more than 150 published works to his name.
“As a composer, he is best known for his choral and organ works which are widely performed at home and abroad; his prolific output remains a lasting legacy,” Mr Sharpe said.
He was also a mentor to John Barry, the Oscar-winning film composer known for his James Bond scores among many others.
Dr Jackson was a past president of the Royal College of Organists, was made an OBE in 1982 and a CBE in 2012.
Current director of music at York Minster Robert Sharpe said: “His last visit to the Minster was to hear the recently-restored organ, a visit which brought him and us all great joy.
“Our love and prayers are with Alice, Edward, William and the family and with the very many who were privileged to count him as a friend. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”