Sir James MacMillan CBE delivers annual Craigmyle Lecture

Sir James MacMillan

The Catholic Union's annual Craigmyle Lecture was delivered this year by the Scottish conductor and composer Sir James MacMillan. This year's lecture was delivered via video conference on account of coronavirus restrictions, with Sir James addressing Catholic Union members and supporters from his home in the Ayrshire countryside.

Sir James has composed concertos, operas, symphonies, as well as composing music for the opening of the new Scottish Parliament and the Papal Visit in 2010.

Sir James said that his world revolved around music, but also described himself as a practising Catholic. He also takes a keen interest in politics - so it was not surprising that Sir James chose the themes of 'music, faith and politics' for his talk.

Sir James said that the search for the sacred in music had a long history. "Some of the world's most important composers in the last century or so were profoundly religious men and women", he said.

Sir James spoke of the number of contemporary composers who also have deep faith. "Far from being a spent force, religion has proved to be a vibrant, animating principle in modern music, and continues to promise much for the future", he said.

In an increasingly secular world, Sir James said the music had an increasingly important role in bringing the sacred into people's lives ad "offering a window into God's divine love affair with humanity."

Sir James said that expressing faith through music was fundamental to freedom of worship, which so many Christians around still do not have, and said that expressions of faith in music were needed more than ever.

Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, commented: "We are most grateful to Sir James for agreeing to give this lecture and for his uplifting and inspiring words. This was the first time in the history of the Craigmyle Lecture that it has been delivered online. I'm delighted that so many people were able to take part. These continue to be dark days for many people, and therefore more important than ever that we find time to pause for reflection. Sir James has given us much to reflection on, not least the gift of music."

The Craigmyle Lecture is named in honour of a former President of the Catholic Union, Lord Craigmyle.

LINKS

To see a recording of the lecture visit: https://catholicunion.org.uk/2020/11/recording-of-sir-james-macmillans-craigmyle-lecture-24-november-2020/

Catholic Union - https://catholicunion.org.uk/