Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Solo Piano Sleep

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The new song Solo Piano Sleep just released today! Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read the inspirational notes below…

 

As I composed Solo Piano Sleep my heart’s desire was to really slow down the pace, to pause, to reflect, to pursue a moment of deep peace and rest, and even to help with sleeping. Brahms’ Lullaby is such a world renowned piece of classical music associated with sleeping, I decided to reference it very gently, in a small way near the beginning and ending. This lullaby has been sung by parents to so many babies, it is likely to be familiar to you as well. Perhaps it even takes you back to childhood, when sleep may have come easier for you. Or, maybe sleep has always come easy for you, even as an adult. A good night’s rest is definitely one of life’s blessings.

The main piano melody is singing the words “I lie down and sleep” over and over, inspired by Psalm 3:5. Then a new melody evolves with plenty of space between the notes, and gentle rolling left hand chords, inviting us into deeper rest. This is followed by a third melody singing “I lie down and sleep” in a new way. All of these musical themes work together to offer listeners God’s peace and rest in a noisy and hurried world. And hopefully this sense of eternal peace from the Lord carries with us into each new day, as we trust Him to sustain us, protect us, and bless us in ways only He can.

How does Solo Piano Sleep sing over your life today?

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (Psalm 3:5)

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. (Psalm 127:2)

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)

Solo Piano Wonder

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Today is release day for Solo Piano Wonder. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind the song…

 

Solo Piano Wonder is a peaceful, refreshing melody gently giving space to slow down and nurture our childlike faith. The uplifting sounds invite us to see the wonder all around us, and to stand in awe for a moment. I need to remember to pause and notice the beauty in my surroundings, God’s creation, as well as the beauty in people, who are all made in God’s image. If I can see things with the wonder and awe of a young child, my soul is nourished and refreshed with greater peace, hope, and joy. Maybe the music will take you back to some beautiful childhood memories, such as a favorite place or person, your favorite activity, or times when you had your greatest sense of awe and wonder. Maybe the music will remind you of a moment of wonder from yesterday, or even today.

This song takes us on a musical journey with a sense of wandering in a good way, experiencing peace and delight as we treasure the gift of life and watch life’s moments unfold. The primary melody and secondary melodies compliment one another with a sense of a question and an answer. This illustrates the ebb and flow of walking with God as we notice Him here, there, and everywhere with childlike faith. Sometimes I have questions, wondering why something happened. Whether answers come quickly and clearly, or take some time, or even remain a mystery, I can choose to refocus my heart from a sense of wondering to a sense of wonder. Jesus loved when the little children came and sat with him, listening to His voice, and receiving His love and grace with awe and wonder. I can remember times long ago as a boy, swaying in the breeze at the top of a tall tree, or feeling the wind on my face riding my bicycle. I can remember yesterday, when I noticed the blooming flower buds, or spoke encouraging words to a store cashier. I can remember today, giving thanks to God for waking me up this morning. This is the spirit of wonder I want to nourish in my heart and soul.

How does Solo Piano Wonder speak to you?

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” > Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

“…to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.” > Psalm 136:4 (ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” > Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” > Mark 9:15 (NIV)

Solo Piano Unheard

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Solo Piano Unheard released February 16, 2023. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read why and how I composed it. Wishing you God’s grace and peace today… 

 

Solo Piano Unheard is about taking time to pause…to listen for, look for, notice, and receive hope and beauty in the midst of life’s tension and mystery. The long rings of the piano strings, the gentle melodies, and the carefully selected harmonies interweave my hopeful certainty with my fears and doubts. I wanted the strings to ring long as a representation of life’s “unheard” moments when we are listening for God’s voice, but we wonder if He is hearing us. I have found He is always right there with me and for me, even it doesn’t feel like it. In His time, and in a very personal way, He lets me know He sees me, knows me, and loves me in the midst of whatever I am going through.

There is something about solo piano that can be so breathtaking, so provocative, and so compelling. This song has unique pauses and rhythms creating a back forth conversation between the notes and the silence, between my questioning and God’s answering. The tempo picks up in the middle, but then slows down again, illustrating the pacing and variety each day brings as I seek to live out my faith whether my cup is full, empty, or somewhere in between. The Scripture verse containing the title word “unheard” is found in Isaiah 52, which speaks to Jesus carrying our pains and Him suffering on our behalf, in order that we may be saved by His grace when we listen, hear, and believe.

How does Solo Piano Unheard sing over your life today?

For what was unheard of they’ll see with their own eyes, what was unthinkable they’ll have right before them. > Isaiah 52:15 (MSG)

For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. > Isaiah 52:15 (NIV)

This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. > Matthew 13:13-14 (NIV)

That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. I don’t want Isaiah’s forecast repeated all over again: Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing. > Matthew 13:13-14 (MSG)

…faith comes from hearing  the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. > Romans 10:17 (NIV)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. > Romans 10:17 (NKJV)