Priest's sacred music enhances quest for spirituality

Another manifestation of the exceptional interest in things spiritual in Ireland is a widespread appreciation of the liturgical music of Father Liam Lawton. Composing full-time for only three years, he has already created quite a following for his work.

Even as religious practice is on the wane in Ireland there are unmistakable indications that the Irish people's religious sense is as strong as ever. Large numbers continue to engage in the quest for things spiritual.

The huge crowds who turned out everywhere recently to pray at the relics of St Therese of Lisieux, the sales of the Glenstal Prayer Book, the numbers who climbed the Reek (Croagh Patrick) last month, and the many visiting Lough Derg this season, all point to a continued spiritual interest in this country.

One person who would agree this is so is Father Lawton, a priest from the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. Currently living in Carlow, he has achieved considerable success in a short time in Ireland with his spiritual music. Although he has yet to receive the full recognition that is his due, he is hardly an unsung hero.

He sees himself as a composer who draws his inspiration for sacred music from the ancient and rich heritage of Ireland. "I am slow to use the term Celtic as it has all sorts of connotations, from the commercial to the distasteful. But with a background in Celtic studies and a family steeped in Irish music it seemed the natural place for me to compose," he said.

To date he has recorded six collections, with another due out very soon.

"For me music is ministry and is a language that can express so much when words fail. Coupled with this is the richness of Irish music, which is so lyrical and melodic, both necessary ingredients when making music accessible to the wider world," he said.

He has just completed an MA at the World Music Centre in the University of Limerick.

Until 1998 he was teaching but wanted to pursue his music at a deeper level. With the support of the bishop of the diocese, Dr Laurence Ryan, Father Lawton left teaching and began to immerse himself in full-time composition and performance.

"The support from Dr Ryan was both visionary and most important as I now had the opportunity to work on something I had a deep passion for," he said.

In 1997 he had signed with the publishing house GIA in the US. "This was a major boost for me as it helped me gain access to the huge American market which has a niche for the type of music I was composing.

"Christian music enjoys a much healthier place in the US than it does at home here or in Europe. For some reason it is not seen as `cool' in Ireland and people like myself have to go elsewhere to record. It seems absurd that I have to record Irish music in the US in order to sell it back into this country, but that's the way it is," he said.

Without the aid of a marketing machine, Father Lawton's name has made major inroads. He is a highly respected figure in music circles in this country.

In recent years he has collaborated with other artists. He wrote three songs for the successful Heavenly album, by the Vard Sisters, and has been runner-up in Eurosong with the same group.

IN January this year one of his compositions entered the charts in Scandinavia at number 10, reaching number five. Back at home most religious broadcasts on TV or radio each week now include some of his pieces.

He is a frequent and enthusiastic performer and last year sold out all his concerts in diverse places such as the National Concert Hall, the Rock of Cashel, the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, and in many of the country's major cathedrals.

At a recent convention in London his music sold out. He performs regularly in the US and last year was commissioned to write a work for the Siamsa na nGael festival in Chicago.

It was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and narrated by legendary screen veteran Gregory Peck.

Father Lawton has been commissioned to write another piece for Siamsa, for St Patrick's Day 2002. Other artists whose work has been performed at this festival include Michael O Suilleabhain, Patrick Cassidy, and Shaun Davey.

"This work belongs here at home and yet it's so frustrating trying to convince people in the business that there is a place for such music here," he said.

But the public's interest here speaks for itself as his published music collection In Caelo was a best-seller last year for Veritas Publications.

He was also one of the Irish composers selected by Sile de Valera to compose a piece of music for the millennium collection Ceol Reoite.

"I will continue to use my music to expose people to the rich heritage and spirituality of our people. It is a tradition that sees the divine in all people and things.

"It is a tradition that welcomes the stranger and offers hospitality, something we need to revisit here in Ireland. Obviously I would like to engage the interest of a major label but I can never forget the support of so many people who continue to enjoy my music," he said.

Father Lawton begins a nationwide concert tour in the autumn. Meanwhile, his recordings are available from all Veritas stores, Celtic Note, and other retail outlets.

A book of the music of Liam Lawton will be published by Veritas early next year.

Father Liam Lawton can be contacted at liam.lawton@ireland.com