Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Come and Talk with Me

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Today – May 24, 2022 – is release day for Come and Talk with Me. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music services, or by clicking below. As you listen, scroll down to read the inspiration behind this song…

 

Don’t we all have a friend or family member who we want to talk with, or who we want to come and talk with us? The title of this piece speaks to this universal human desire, for another person to “come and talk with me.” Yet the context of these words from Psalm 27:8 is an invitation from God, asking us to come and talk with Him. In Psalm 27:8 the psalmist writes, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.'” (NLT) Other versions of this Scripture speak to seeking God, seeking His face, worshiping God, praying to God, and chasing after God. God’s simple invitation to Come and talk with Me is deep and rich with meaning.

Psalm 27 begins with, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Throughout the Bible God promises to be our Savior, Protector, Provider, Comforter, Healer, Guide, and much more. When I put my faith and trust in Him as Father, and seek to obey Him, God is always faithful to be with me. He is filled with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience in response to my sin, and when I fall short of His holiness. Jesus is the only Perfect and Holy One, without sin. He invites each of us to be saved by His grace and forgiveness when we receive this gift by faith. We can come and talk with Jesus and God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Musically there are two primary themes. The introductory theme has some rhythmic movement to symbolize life’s busyness. Even though coming to talk with God is a simple invitation, it is not so easy most of the time. The main chorus theme which answers is an expression of when we begin to experience God’s voice, and when we purse coming to talk with Him. The beauty and wonder elevate musically to illustrate the blessing of being in fellowship with Him. The “life is busy” theme returns once more, but the “hearing God’s voice” theme becomes what the song is about. This chorus theme is repeated to the end of the song with various solo instruments, orchestra, and choir joining the piano, sometimes in unison, and sometimes with a counter melody or harmony. The music fades slowly to a gentle chord ending, symbolizing walking through life on earth, and into eternity in conversation with God, speaking our heart and listening to Him. I hope this piece is uplifting to your life and faith journey, and offers you peace and encouragement in your current circumstances.

How does “Come and Talk with Me” speak into your story right now?

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” — Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Harmonies of Light

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Today is release day for the new song Harmonies of Light. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down and read some of the story behind this song.

 

The new title Harmonies of Light surfaced when I came across Isaiah 45:7, which talks about how God forms light and makes harmonies. These are only two of His vast, infinite capabilities, and they are definitely worthy of musical expression! I also found the word harmonies used in Philippians and Colossians, and included all three passages down below.

Since Johann Sebastian Bach is my favorite composer, and he phrased my favorite quote about music, I was inspired to use the opening chord progression and harmonies from his famous Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. If you haven’t heard it before, you should look it up (renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs a gorgeous version on YouTube). After finding the left hand chords, I began experimenting with melodies in the right hand. The ideas began to flow over a couple of days, and the opening section began to take shape. I initially thought I would continue to use Bach’s harmonic chords, but the initial sequence launched me into a new place. The Cello Suite harmonies became a slow introduction theme, followed by a variation on this with piano and a solo clarinet. Then I found my own chord progression and melody, which became the central theme of the piece. It appears first at the 2:25 mark, with piano and harp, and is repeated from 3:20 to 4:15 with the clarinet, orchestra and choir joining in. The introductory theme returns again for a slow, beautiful ending with its beautiful harmonies. The very end features a hint of the main theme melody to tie everything together and complete Harmonies of Light.

In my 2021 video series Piano with Stanton Lanier my opening words for each of the 12 episodes is “…I believe we all have a song in our heart, and we can think of our life as a song as we seek to make a positive difference in the world.” And the Bach quote I love is, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” If we seek to glorify God and refresh the souls of people through our lives, this is one way to be a harmony of light in the world. I pray your light shines brightly today!

How does “Harmonies of Light” and its inspiration speak to you?

“I am God, the only God there is. I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, God, do all these things.” — Isaiah 45:7

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” — Philippians 4:8-9

“He (Jesus) was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” — Colossians 1:17-20

Wiping Away Every Tear

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The new song Wiping Away Every Tear just released today. It is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this piece. (The “Explicit Lyrics” indication on some music services is an unfortunate error which hopefully will be corrected and removed soon.)

 

I was inspired to compose and record Wiping Away Every Tear to express the need for hope and healing in times of loss or sadness. During twenty-two years of composing Scripture inspired instrumental music, within my fourteen albums and twenty-one singles there are some melodies and harmonies which “speak” to real life moments when we have tears, distress, or sadness. Hope, healing, and even forgiveness can all be found in time, and are available from God by His grace when we seek Him and ask Him for help. This can also require surrendering or releasing a circumstance to Him. This has helped me make progress toward not being anxious about anything, and experiencing God’s peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fear and anxiety are issues I have faced for much of my life, but God has continued to offer hope and healing. I have found Him faithful to guard and protect, and even bless my heart and life with His goodness and faithfulness. I hope this melody will inspire you and encourage you if you are facing any type of loss or sadness. The verses below were the inspiration behind this song, and have been helpful to me.  Wishing you God’s grace and peace today, and in your days ahead, Stanton

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:4

“…he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.” — Isaiah 25:8

Sky Whisper – Treasures of Peace II

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The new song Sky Whisper (track 17) and album Treasures of Peace II are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down for the inspiration behind this new song and album.

 

Sky Whisper is the name of my studio which I created in 2016. “Sky” is another word for “God” and “Whisper” is another word for “Voice,” so for me the studio means “God’s Voice.” In my composing and creating I want to surrender every note and song, to glorify God and refresh the souls of people (this is what Johann Sebastian Bach believed the aim and final end of all music should be, to glorify God and refresh the soul). Treasures of Peace II is my second listener favorites collection, featuring seventeen pieces of music created from 2015 (Breathe) to the beginning of 2022 (Sky Whisper). The track selections include favorites from albums Climb to the Sky (2016) and So Loved (2018), as well as many singles released in 2020 and 2021, featuring both piano and orchestral works.

Musically, Sky Whisper is filled with melodies and meaning. The introduction and ending symbolize God’s ever presence, from eternity past to eternity future, with cinematic piano and powerful orchestra string swells. There is tension in learning how to hear God’s voice and and practicing this. The rhythmic cello and high piano represent life’s walk, the search, and the longing for God’s voice. A slower chorus follows representing how we begin to experience God and His voice, and we realize there is more for Him to reveal to us if we continue our pursuit. The music returns to the rhythmic walk but now it is deeper and richer, with more happening musically as God’s voice becomes more familiar. The chorus follows with its melody and the opening melody overlayed, more complex musically, yet more simple and intimate as we grow in hearing and knowing God’s voice. Then we are introduced to a third musical section (we can refer to these sections as theme A rhythmic verse, theme B chorus, and theme C bridge or second chorus). Theme C expresses a deeper knowing and longing, what C.S. Lewis refers to as “further up and further in” as we taste more of heaven on earth, along with the sweetness and beauty of intimacy with God.
 
The song then returns to the familiar early melodies, in a way remembering our past and need for growth in Christ, with new beautiful melodies woven in, symbolizing how God is with us always, even when we don’t feel His presence. The ending revisits the opening. God has been God from eternity past until now, and He will be for all eternity in the future. The rhythmic cello ends hopefully walking with God (in a major key) to the end. This hopeful ending is a shift from earlier in the song, when there is more tension, searching, and a haunting beauty from a combination of minor and major keys and scales. In the beginning, earlier in our life’s walk we are longing for something more and, as was the case for me, I didn’t know that hearing God’s voice was what I needed most. In my story I was thirty years old before I fully surrendered and ask God to speak to me. The sooner and more deeply we surrender, the more God has to reveal to us in our life and faith journey.
 
How does Sky Whisper speak into your story?
 
“With one breath he clears the sky, with one finger he crushes the sea serpent. And this is only the beginning, a mere whisper of his rule. Whatever would we do if he really raised his voice!” — Job 26:13-14 (MSG)
 
“A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:12 (MSG)
 

Quiet Revelation New Song

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The new song Quiet Revelation releases worldwide Tuesday, July 28, 2020. You can listen below, and stream on all major services including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc. Scroll down to see some inspirational thoughts…

This new song Quiet Revelation happened within a few days in late June 2020, and was completed much faster than usual. The idea I wanted to express was very clear in my mind, but how would the music take shape? I personally need to invest time regularly to slow down, quiet my mind, be still, and listen. When I compose music there is a sense of the melodies coming down from heaven. It feels like God already knows the tune, and He reveals it to me through quiet revelation. The song name and theme invite you to listen for some kind of quiet revelation you may need in your life and faith right now.

A chamber string orchestra plays beautiful chords and swells as the harmony foundation. The piano carries the melody, and is gradually joined by cello and later French horn as the chorus builds and repeats. A gentle choir and more symphony strings join the chamber orchestra to enrich the harmonies underneath, as verse and chorus melodies build emotionally. All of these musical textures symbolize the wonder and diversity of words God wants to say to us, and songs He wants to sing over us.

Relax, close your eyes, and invite your heart, soul, and mind to be blessed with Quiet Revelation. “I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.” (Psalm 119:113-114, MSG)

How does “Quiet Revelation” speak to you?

Perfect Peace New Song

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Click below to hear the new song Perfect Peace with beautiful, peace-filled piano and cello (released April 28). Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and more. For pianists you can also purchase the PDF Sheet Music.This Swiss Alps photo I took last year is the background for the song artwork. Please see underneath the image to read some inspirational notes…

During these historic and unprecedented weeks of the global coronavirus pandemic, I have been meditating on Isaiah 26:3 which says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). The Amplified Bible says, “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You–in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Meditate on these words as you listen. It is a powerful combination to take in the Scripture inspired piano and Isaiah 26:3 together.

If you are interested in more of the “behind the scenes” story for this song…it took a couple of weeks for God to reveal. The piano begins by slowly singing the notes for “Perfect Peace” two times (each word is two syllables, musically). Then the notes sing “You keep him in perfect peace.” This phrase becomes the verse portion, which appears several times throughout the song. The chorus portion starts with rhythmic notes, and was inspired by the words “whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The chorus answers the verse as a response to the perfect and constant peace God promises us when we fully trust and take refuge in Him. It was a beautiful blessing from God to finish this song a few days before we remember Jesus’s life and death, and celebrate His resurrection. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is our ultimate Perfect Peace, who saves us from our sin, and gives the gifts of resurrection and eternal life to all who believe.

How does the music and theme of Perfect Peace sing over your life today?

Chasing Splendor New Song Story

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Today is the worldwide release of the new song CHASING SPLENDOR, an epic, cinematic instrumental. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, and more. This song has over forty tracks and is filled with adventure and awe. I am passionate about including these two experiences in my life, and hope you can feel adventure and awe in the music. Below is some of the story behind the composition. To see more about the song’s inspiration read my earlier post Chasing Splendor.

I composed this like a film score because our life stories are like an epic movie on the big screen. The world is watching and every life we touch matters. CHASING SPLENDOR opens with a big movie chase “scene” featuring rhythms, strings and brass (“God’s beauty and love chase after me every day of my life” – Psalm 23:6 MSG). Then the first splendor movement is revealed with pianos, keyboards, choirs, strings, electric guitar and soundscapes. The chase returns with more intensity as a symbol of how passionately God pursues us with His beauty and love, and the grace and forgiveness He so wants us to know. This brings us to a second splendor movement that evokes an even deeper sense of awe as we soak in the beauty (“Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders” – Psalm 145:5 MSG).

Musically, as the splendor continues, elements of the chase return (rhythms, string, and brass parts), but in a new way. The chase is now in sync with the splendor. The chase has become more gentle, joining the splendor together as one. The song finishes with a climactic, powerful drum boom. As God chases us, if we open our hearts to trust Him and surrender, the splendor He sees in us begins to shine. Jesus wants to display His splendor uniquely through us as we trust and obey Him. This process takes time and is lifelong, but we have the opportunity to see His splendor grow and flourish in our lives. The irony is that greater splendor comes from deeper surrender. We must rely on God’s all powerful strength through us, instead of our own limited strength.

How does CHASING SPLENDOR speak into your life and story today? 

SO LOVED Track #11 – If You Say So

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Click above to listen to track #11 If You Say So from the new album So Loved as you read. You can enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. You can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

What “deep water” is God calling you to?

If You Say So is a tribute to Peter’s bold faith. We can relate to his story because, like us, he was longing for spiritual hope and beauty, and yet he was broken and imperfect. His devotion to Jesus led him to proclaim, “Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won’t.” And yet, three times he denies ever knowing Jesus. As I composed this song it became a conversation between the piano and cello, with French horn underneath. Here are the two phrases the notes are singing, which we can apply to our life and faith…

If You Say So I will. If you listen for them, you may hear how the piano and cello are singing these words throughout the song. The song opens with “But if you say so, I will” repeated four times. Peter and his co-workers had been fishing hard all night, and had caught nothing. Following this, Jesus told him to push out into deep water and let his nets down for a catch. They caught a huge haul of fish strained the nets to capacity. This story inspires me to ask God two questions: “Do You have something you want to let me know? Is there any deep water you are calling me to?” If we lean in by faith to ask, listen closely, and obey, we can experience God’s faithfulness and fruit in our lives beyond our capacity to comprehend or imagine.

Do You Love Me? The piano and cello notes begin singing this phrase in the middle of the song, and more and more to the very end, where these words shaped the final four notes. After His resurrection Jesus asks Peter this question three times (remember Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the crucifixion). In our lives, we know Jesus loves us because He says this, and promises this to us, so many times in Scripture. The entire album and title track So Loved are a testimony to His great love for us (John 3:16). The question “Do You Love Me?” has become even more powerful for me. Even though I am (and we are) broken, sinful, and imperfect, Jesus loves us first. He invites us to love Him in response with grateful hearts. When we experience His love and grace more fully in our lives and stories, it overflows from us to people we encounter in God’s “deep water” moments.

How do the music and words offer you hope and beauty today?

IF YOU SAY SO | PETER
Luke 5, John 21. Peter’s bold words “but if you say so I will” and Jesus’ words “Do you love me?” inspire us to know God’s patient tenderness toward us.

PUSH OUT INTO DEEP WATER (LUKE 5:4-11, MSG)
When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.” Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I will let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch. Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

DO YOU LOVE ME? (JOHN 21:15-19)
(This happens following Jesus’ resurrection, right after Peter has a second miraculous catch of fish). After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.” Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ” Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep…”

SO LOVED Track #8 – Strength Is Yours

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Click above to listen to track #8 Strength Is Yours from the new album So Loved as you read. You can enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. You can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

How do you bring forth strength when you feel weak and helpless?

When I am overwhelmed by life struggles or battles I may ask the questions, “Lord, why is this happening?” or “Where are you Lord?” As you listen to Strength Is Yours, journey with me for a moment into the story behind this song and its application in our lives. Then perhaps listen again with a renewed perspective. Here is how this song and its meaning came together…

It was about 1180 B.C. The Israelites were completely overwhelmed in Judges 6. They were being defeated and overrun by the Midianites. They were way outnumbered, all their crops were being stolen, and they were hiding in caves to find some sense of safety and security. This was the scene when God appeared to Gideon, a man small in stature, and called him a Mighty Warrior. Gideon was certain God had made a mistake and needed quite a bit of convincing before his faith would reach beyond his current reality. When we face life’s battles or life seems hopeless, in mystery and wonder God offers us hope that He knows everything we are going through. Not only does He join us in the battle, He is fighting our battles for us.

The helpless feeling we experience is expressed in the intense opening of this soundtrack. The violin opens with a distressed melody, and is answered by the cello notes singing the phrase “go in this strength that is yours” in the midst of our insecurity and uncertainty. These were God’s words to Gideon, and they are His words to us, even when life’s battles lead to a hopeless heart. He promises to give us His strength and to be with us in all things. He is singing a “Mighty Warrior” chorus with angels and a heavenly orchestra of music, which builds in the song to a climactic finish filling our hearts with hope and strength. Let the music and this truth wash over you as you “go in this strength that is yours.”

What is one thing God is saying to you today through this music and its inspiration?

STRENGTH IS YOURS | GIDEON
Judges 6. God said to him, “Go in this strength that is yours. I’ll be with you. Believe me.” God is mighty and strong. He fights life’s battles with and for us.

SO LOVED Track #5 – Salvation Song

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Click above to listen to track #5 Salvation Song from the new album So Loved as you read. You can enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. You can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.

What does the title “Salvation Song” stir in you?

Salvation Song is becoming a listener favorite on So Loved. When I began working on this soundtrack inspired by life of Moses, I wondered if one piece of music could express all the key events of his story, and at the same time sing something beautiful to us as we listened. Think about the twists and turns, and the ups and downs in your own story as I share some highlights from Moses’s life.

After hiding him for protection, his mother placed Moses in a basket and put it among the reeds on the bank of the Nile River. The Pharaoh of Egypt’s daughter saw and retrieved the basket, and raised him as her son. As a young man Moses killed an Egyptian who had beaten a fellow Hebrew. When Pharaoh tried to kill Moses for this, he fled to the desert in Midian, married his wife Zipporah, and had two sons. He encountered God at the burning bush, where God told him to go and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was hesitant because speaking was a weakness (he was slow of speech and tongue), so God allowed his brother Aaron to help him. When Pharaoh wouldn’t let the Israelites go, God brought ten plagues. When Pharaoh finally did let Moses and the people go, he and the entire Egyptian army chased them to the edge of the Red Sea. God parted the waters so the Israelites could cross on dry ground. They all made it safely to the other side, and every single Egyptian drowned when the sea covered them in their pursuit. A lot of other events happened, including the manna from heaven to feed God’s people in the desert, the ten commandments, Moses striking a rock to bring forth water for the people, and Moses striking a rock a second time later when God told him to speak to the rock to bring forth water again. This act of disobedience cost him getting to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. With all these thoughts in mind, here is what happened when I started writing the music…

God began to reveal to me that instead of the dramatic, sometimes dark, sometimes triumphant music I was envisioning for Moses, perhaps He sang a more beautiful song over Moses’s life than I was imagining. Then, in a very profound way, this revelation moved me to consider how God also has a unique and beautiful song for my life, and for your life. He is singing this over us from heaven, and He wants us to “hear the music” so to speak, which can be very hard sometimes due to life’s moments of disharmony and discord. To know God’s grace and love filled song for us, we have to be still, surrender, and listen closely for His gentle whisper. This has been life changing for me to know God is singing beauty over me, even though I am broken, sinful, weak and ordinary, just like Moses.

Musically, this track has many instruments singing to represent the height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for us. There are layers of beauty, and His love for us is beyond what we can comprehend. I hope this song sings into your story in a powerful and beautiful way just like it has for me. I believe one reason it is a becoming a listener favorite is because every human being wants a “salvation song” in their life. God created us and wants us to know and trust Him. He offers us complete forgiveness, and He wants us to experience salvation through Christ.

How does this song and its inspiration speak into your faith journey?

SALVATION SONG | MOSES
Exodus Chapters 2 through 15. “God is my strength, God is my song, and Yes! God is my salvation. Your strong right hand God shimmers with power” (Exodus 15:2, The Message). All glory be to God as He sings His salvation song over each of our lives.