Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Solo Piano Dawn

By 17 Comments

My 15th album Solo Piano Dawn just released. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen to the title track as you read the story behind this new collection.

 

This project fills my heart with joy and worship in gratitude to God for inspiring twelve new solo piano compositions in 2023. I am most grateful for who He is, and what He has done in my life. Jesus being both the Creator of the universe and my personal Savior and Lord is a miracle and mystery, which I have found to be true as I have investigated and experienced His grace, truth, and faithfulness.

Solo Piano Dawn is a Scripture Inspired Worship Collection of these twelve tracks, one hour of instrumental music inviting you and all who listen to receive God’s peace, rest, hope, and beauty. All of the tracks were released as singles in 2023, except for two brand new pieces: the opening track Solo Piano Prelude and the closing title track Solo Piano Dawn, which were composed to complete the album (Solo Piano Dawn features new music combined with the chorus melody from my piece Awaken the Dawn). The ten singles each have their own blog post which you scroll down or search to read the inspiration behind each one.

The twelve track titles are not in the order I composed and released the singles. Instead, they have been curated to create a unique flow and journey expressing the realness and variety of life circumstances, the mountain tops and valleys, the pains and struggles, the hopes and joys, the fear and faith, the uncertainty and the adventure. As you listen through the sequence of Solo Piano Prelude, Solo Piano Wonder, Solo Piano Psalm, Solo Piano Refuge, Solo Piano Blessings, Solo Piano Angels, Solo Piano Grace, Solo Piano Unheard, Solo Piano Beyond, Solo Piano Yearning, Solo Piano Sleep, and Solo Piano Dawn, I hope you will be blessed and encouraged that God sees you, loves you, knows you, and is there for you.

You can reflect on the verses behind the title track below, which speak to worship, and how as humans were all created to worship. The opening track Solo Piano Prelude is gentle preparation for the journey, and also symbolizes the peaceful assurance that God is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, from Genesis to Revelation.

How does the album Solo Piano Dawn speak to you?

Psalm 108:1-2. My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. (NIV)

Psalm 34:9. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. (MSG)

Psalm 95:6. So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before God, who made us! (MSG)

Psalm 96:1. Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God—worship God! (MSG)

Psalm 96:8-9. Bring gifts and celebrate, Bow before the beauty of God, Then to your knees—everyone worship! (MSG)

Psalm 100:4. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. (MSG)

Revelation 8:1. Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets. When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (NKJV)

Solo Piano Angels

By 6 Comments

Solo Piano Angels just released today! You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind this new piece.

 

Solo Piano Angels is a my first solo piano recording featuring the chorus melody from the song Bread of Angels, which was composed and released in 2011 on my seventh album A Thousand Years. The original version is a duet with piano and angelic vocals, with different themes for the introduction, verses, and ending. The main theme has always been so beautiful and powerful when the notes sing over my life. I am humbled and amazed when I pause to remember how God inspired the music. It was like the melody had been in heaven all along, and God sent it down through my head, heart, and hands when He was ready. The creative process can take days, weeks, or months to be complete, but when our Creator with the big “C” delivers, it becomes clear I am a little “c” creator just seeking to hear His voice and receive His inspiration by faith.

Solo Piano Angels also features the main theme from another listener favorite Walking on Air, which is used as the musical transition at the end of each angels chorus section. The verse melodies and variations within this new song are delicate and gentle, yet powerful in their symbolism of angels watching over us. Out of the many Bible verses including the word angel or angels I have shared six down below that I used for reflection and inspiration during the composing process. The phrase “heaven’s angels worship You!” from Nehemiah 9:6 is sung a few times by the piano notes, expressing God’s glory, beauty, and provision.

I hope this piece helps you relax and take some deep breaths. As you listen, close your eyes and envision you are breathing in God’s peace and presence, and breathing out life’s worry and distractions. Thank you for listening and reading. God’s blessings to you!

How does Solo Piano Angels speak to you?

“Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise! You’re the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven’s angels worship you!” (Nehemiah 9:5-6, MSG)

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4-5, NIV)

“He rained down showers of manna to eat, he gave them the Bread of Heaven. They ate the bread of the mighty angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.” (Psalm 78:25, MSG)

“God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him. Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you’ve been so good to us! We’re walking on air!” (Psalm 89:5 and 89:17, MSG)

“Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?” (Matthew 18:10, MSG)

“Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, MSG)

Solo Piano Psalm

By 6 Comments

Today is release day for Solo Piano Psalm. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind this new piece.

 

Solo Piano Psalm is a gentle piano journey, expressing life’s moments of peace, hope and beauty amidst the tension of the world’s noise, despair, and distress. It is a simple decision, but not an easy one, to thank God from a full heart, to embrace Him as my sanctuary, and to sing His love and faithfulness each day. I have provided three Psalms below for reflection, but I encourage you to read other Psalms in the Bible that are special to you, or you can just begin with Psalm 1 or Psalm 23.

I composed the first minute of the song as an introduction to establish a sense of peace, calm, and contentment, knowing God is with me by faith and experience. At the same time, there is a hint of tension as I am also seeking and longing for God’s love, wisdom, and provision in every area of my life. Every Psalm in the book of Psalms is genuine and vulnerable whether giving thanks to God or crying out to Him for help.

The main theme for Solo Piano Psalm begins around the one minute mark, and the notes are “singing” and repeating the words “I’m thanking you God, from a full heart.” There are additional musical variations as the journey continues, including a section of long chords reminding me to pause and reflect, to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). Whatever circumstances you are facing in your life, whether a time of victory or struggle, I hope the melodies and notes sing peace, hope, and beauty to your heart, and help you know how much you are seen, known, and loved by our Heavenly Father.

How does Solo Piano Psalm speak to you today?

“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy! I’m singing your song, High God.” (Psalm 9:1-2, MSG)

“God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.” (Psalm 9:9-10, MSG)

“Your love, God, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I’ll never quit telling the story of your love.” (Psalm 89:1, MSG)

Solo Piano Grace

By 9 Comments

Solo Piano Grace just released and is streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the story behind this new piece.

 

The new song Solo Piano Grace expresses the peace, hope, and beauty God’s grace brings to my life. The piano melody themes are simple and beautiful yet deep and powerful, much like God’s grace and forgiveness of  my sin, and the wonder of His love and faithfulness. As the years go by I am learning the amount of grace and forgiveness I give to others is a reflection of the grace and forgiveness I have received from Jesus. I want to keep growing in my understanding of God’s grace and my gratitude to Him for saving me from death to life. He has given me grace by the truckload, and He is teaching me to offer this quantity of grace to all people – family, friends, and strangers. The Lord has offered immeasurable grace to me over and over again. I want the times I have given others only a thimble, teaspoon or cup sized amount of grace to remind me to offer people grace by the truckload, which God has given to me. May His grace encourage you today, that you are seen, known and loved by a heavenly Father who is for you, and with you always.

How does Solo Piano Grace speak to you? 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, NIV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6, NIV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:21, NIV)

Solo Piano Yearning

By 4 Comments

The new song Solo Piano Yearning just released, and is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind this piece.

 

Solo Piano Yearning is a vulnerable, real life musical expression for times of longing for God. Maybe He is close like James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you,” but I still want to know Him more deeply. Or maybe He seems very distant and my faith feels dry and parched like Psalm 143:6 “…I stretched out my hands to you (God), as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.”

Wherever you are in your life and faith journey, and whatever the circumstances you are facing, I hope the gentle pace of the solo piano, the “longing” minor harmonies and melodies, and “expectantly hopeful” sprinkling of major chords and notes all work together to help you experience God’s peace as you join me in yearning for Him. The artwork for Solo Piano Yearning features a faded image of the sheet music for my song Peace, which is a favorite of listeners and pianists around the world. The inspiration for Peace came from John 14:27, which is a beautiful answer directly from Jesus fore times when our hearts are longing for and yearning for Him, whether consciously or unconsciously. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The opening melodies become song verses symbolizing a conversation with God and questions for Him. The long descending chords theme is the chorus answer from Him throughout the song, assuring us of His surrounding love as we trust in Him (Psalm 32:10). An additional fifteen second theme appears three times in the song from 1:42 to 1:57, repeated from 1:58 to 2:13, and finally from 3:25 to 3:40. The notes are literally singing the words and syllables found in Psalm 84:2 below, like a piano prayer from my heart to my Father in heaven. He fulfills all of my yearnings through Jesus, my Savior and Friend. My longing to be fully seen, known, loved, and forgiven is complete. Thank you Jesus for your generous grace, mercy, loving kindness, and patience in my life and faith.

How does “Solo Piano Yearning” speak to your heart?

“I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:27, NIV)

“O God, you are my God. I long for you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1, NET)

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2, NIV)

“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9, NIV)

Solo Piano Beyond

By 10 Comments

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

 

Solo Piano Beyond expresses several of God’s attributes He has been deepening in my heart. They both capture my attention, and at the same time are beyond my full comprehension. God is big. Life is short. God gives me His peace and hope through His presence with me, and His promises in His Word. He fills me with a sense of awe and wonder through His creation, as well as His faithfulness in my life. My faith in Jesus as God’s son, the Savior of the world, and my Friend, continues to grow as He proves Himself true in my journey. He promises we can know for certain we have eternal life when we ask His forgiveness, and put our trust in Him (1 John 5:13).

The musical notes and themes have all these thoughts and more under the surface. The melodies are a spiritual and reflective exploration to see what this may sound like. This gives space and freedom for every listener to experience this piece in a way that is very personal and specific to them. To think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable in this life and beyond. My hope is for the music to offer you a deeper sense of peace, hope, beauty, and wonder wherever you may be, and whatever circumstances you are facing. May the Lord lift your spirit as you listen for Him and worship Him through Solo Piano Beyond.

How does Solo Piano Beyond inspire or encourage you?

My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. (1 John 5:13, MSG)

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20, NET)

Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. (Deuteronomy 10:14, MSG)

Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. (Malachi 3:8-11, MSG)

Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him. (Job 37:23-24, MSG)

I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me, far beyond me, and deep—oh so deep! Does anyone ever find it? I concentrated with all my might, studying and exploring and seeking wisdom—the meaning of life. (Ecclesiastes 7:23-25, MSG)

Solo Piano Sleep

By 8 Comments

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

By 5 Comments

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

By 4 Comments

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)