Celebrating a Yorkshire musical legend at Huddersfield Town Hall

The centenary of internationally-renowned Yorkshire composer and organist Dr Francis Jackson CBE will be marked with a special lunchtime concert at Huddersfield Town Hall on the day of his birthday, Monday 2 October.

The programme performed by Kirklees Borough Organist Dr Gordon Stewart will include works by Dr Jackson, his mentor and teacher Sir Edward Bairstow, and the world premiere of a new piece composed in his honour by York-based composer Andrew Carter, who’ll be present at the concert.

Born in Malton, Dr Jackson began his musical career as a chorister at York Minster. He went on to become Master of the Music and Organist there, succeeding his teacher and mentor Sir Edward Bairstow. Dr Jackson held the position for 37 years, from 1946 to 1982. His performance of the final movement from Widor's Symphony No. 5 at the wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent in the Minster in 1961 set a trend for the piece at weddings.

He has spent his very active retirement close to Malton, in the picturesque village of Acklam, where he is able to indulge his lifelong love of the Yorkshire countryside.

"Hearing Francis Jackson play in Dundee whilst I was still a schoolboy had a massive influence on me", says Dr Stewart. "The first LP I ever bought was played by him on the organ of York Minster and I set about learning to play all the pieces on the record. His choral music is sung wherever there is Anglican Cathedral Music all over the world.

“To celebrate Dr Jackson’s 90th birthday, Andrew Carter composed a wonderful Passacaglia, and for his centenary he has added a beautifully constructed, exciting Fugue which will have its premiere at our concert.”

Dr Gordon Stewart’s lunchtime concerts at Huddersfield Town Hall are a much-loved feature of the Kirklees Concert Season, which brings world-class music to the district through a unique partnership between Kirklees Council and Opera North. Dr Stewart opens the 2017-18 season of lunchtime organ concerts at Huddersfield Town Hall on Monday 18 September with a programme including works by Handel, Bach and Widor.

Tickets for all events in the season can be booked via the Box Office on 01484 225755 and online at www.kirkleestownhalls.co.uk

For more information visit https://tickets.kirklees.gov.uk/en-GB/shows/huddersfield%20lunchtime%20concert%20-%20gordon%20stewart/info