Recorded Music

The music of Liam Lawton occupies a treasured and unique place in the repertoire of Old St. Patrick’s.  As an Irish composer, recording artist, and Catholic priest, Lawton’s relationship with the historic Chicago church community began in the late 1990s and, through many commissionings and concert appearances, cemented quickly. Taking root in the hearts of many, his music is situated alongside seminal moments in our own faith journeys, from weddings and funerals, to liturgical celebrations throughout the year. This collection of instrumental arrangements allows Liam’s finely crafted melodies and niche harmonic language to speak independently of lyrics, resonating instead with the poetry we carry in our own personal experiences.

In light of the coronavirus precautions and our reduced mass schedule, I recorded 14 tracks of piano music based on the sounds of Lent at Old St. Pat's.  They are meditative, extemporaneous, contemporary solo piano arrangements that I hope we can all use and share both in and around our community.  

I hope these pieces––presented in fragmented, constituent themes––the arc of the music, and the subtle calling-to-mind of lyrics will add a sense of prayer and contemplation to your season.

It is unlikely that the Magi sang "We Three Kings," or that Mary comforted her child with "Away In A Manger." Rather, it is through post-incarnation litanies and liturgy, sacred texts and even secular traditions that we have the music of Christmas we know today. However, to consider that holy, historical night as one without music, without a mother's lullaby, pastoral hymns, or songs of rejoicing, would be equally mistaken. 

This collection of original arrangements for the piano contemplates the music of that first Christmas. I attempted to capture the human and angelic, the divine and the ordinary, while employing music made familair over the last several centuries. It is inspired in part by the classical repertoire and music from the Polish and Celtic traditions; but more deeply by the humanity of those days under the Bethlehem sky: the wonder, the journey, the cold, the humility, the joy.