#6 in the series of PPI: Pandemic Piano Improvisations which are morning musical meditations.   Recorded 3/18/2021, in honor of Skip (G.W.) Mercier,  S-K-I-P is the thematic material at the center of the improv.  Pay no mind to the Byzantine logic leading to the selection of the tones B-D-D-C.

PPI (Pandemic Piano Improvisations)

PPI: Pandemic Piano Improvisations - #6 For Skip

IMPROVISED PIANO PIECES is a collection of improvised original piano compositions created and performed in real time, and unedited.  Following the "Preludes" and "Reflections" series, the PIANO PIECES are short spontaneous compositions in a modern classical style for piano.  The inspiration for each pieces is revealed in its title.

IMPROVISED PIANO PIECES #17 - "The Taunting Dance" was recorded on September 18, 2022.

Piano Pieces

Piano Pieces #17 - The Taunting Dance (09-18-2022)

RECORDED 12/06/2023
The first "Meditations" series was recorded 5/2/21 - 6/16/21. These early morning improvisations in a contemporary classical style were to channel current moods and emotions into spontaneous piano pieces with a beginning, middle and end. While recent other series have focused on structure, composition, and various styles of tonality and expression to guide the improv process, "Morning Meditations Volume 2" has an overall mediative tone that leads to more reflective and relaxing (i.e. tonal) compositions. Peace!

Morning Meditations Vol 2

MEDITATIONS Vol 2 - #29 "Waltz With the Devil"

'PRELUDES" is a collection of improvised original piano compositions created and performed in real time, and unedited. 

PRELUDE #13 - "Peace Dreams" was recorded on June 18, 2022.

Preludes

PRELUDE 13 - Peace Dreams (06-18-2022)

'PRELUDES" is a collection of improvised original piano compositions created and performed in real time, and unedited. 

PRELUDE #28 - "Noble Intensions" was recorded on July 22, 2022.

PRELUDE 28 - Noble Intentions (07-22-2022)

Recorded 11/25/2024.  "March of the Uncommon Man" could imply it is no "march" at all. "IMPRESSIONS For Piano" is a collection of improvised original compositions  in a contemporary classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

IMPRESSIONS 11 - March of the Uncommon Man

Recorded 12/08/2024. "Underwater Romance with Sky" evokes an impressionist mood through a musical journey of longing.  "IMPRESSIONS For Piano" is a collection of improvised original compositions in a contemporary classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

IMPRESSIONS 13 - Underwater Romance with Sky

Recorded 12/19/2024.  A musical "Rhapsody" is defined as a one-movement work that is episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, and featuring highly contrasted moods, color and tonality.  "Episodic Rhapsody" checks all the boxes.  "IMPRESSIONS For Piano" is a collection of improvised original compositions in a contemporary classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

IMPRESSIONS 14 - Episodic Rhapsody

Recorded 12/28/2024. "The Child Departs" begins with whimsical impulses, and then transforms into a more "grown-up" tone as the piece progresses.  "IMPRESSIONS For Piano" is a collection of improvised original compositions in a contemporary classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

IMPRESSIONS 15 - The Child Departs

Recorded 02/22/2025. "Little Ben" echoes the chimes of the "Big" as the motif central to the first Sketch.

SKETCHES 01 - Little Ben

Recorded 02/23/2025.  "Dreams of Nobility" imagines stately music for the pomp and entertainment of the liege. 

SKETCHES 02 - Dreams of Nobility

Recorded 03/25/2025.  "Waltz with Intrigue" features a theme that might evoke a noir spy mystery with a middle section full of twists and turns.  "Sketches for Piano" are original improvised compositions in a classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

SKETCHES 03 - Waltz with Intrigue

Recorded 04/20/2025 - Easter Sunday. "Theme and Variations: Harden Not Your Hearts" resembles typical "Theme and Variations" compositions by Beethoven or other Classic or Romantic composers. This theme is based on a phrase from a antiphon often heard in Lent which says, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15 and Psalm 95:8). Unlike the other "Sketches" compositions, this piece was through-composed is not total improvisation. The piece was developed using improvisation, but the final composition was mapped and planned in advance. However, the performance is spontaneous and unedited.

SKETCHES 04 - Theme and Variations-Harden Not Your Heart

#5 Recorded 04/11/2025. "Tonal Patterns of Aggression" pulls together a series of rhythmic sequences with the forceful tone of expressionism using polytonality and dissonance. 

SKETCHES 05 - Tonal Patterns of Aggression

Recorded 05/13/2025.  "Change of Heart" is a lyrical piece - a sort of tune that could be sung, but is played on the piano.  The main theme one hears right at the opening has the following lyrics in mind: "Change of heart! Change of heart!  I've had a major change of heart."  (Note, the piece is in A-Major; therefore, it would be "A-Major Change of Heart.") The middle section explores the emotional process leading to the realization of "change."  When the main theme returns, it is now transformed from a melancholy tune into one with many possibilities.  


SKETCHES 06 - Change of Heart

SKETCHES 07 - Chasing Mischief

#8 Recorded Memorial Day 05/26/2025.  "Memorial Day Fanfare-March" opens with the "fanfare" theme, but instead of invoking the typical trumpets, the lower brass is featured instead (on the piano, of course).  I often imagine other instruments playing through the piano. The march section follows.  No cymbals! (or symbols)…

SKETCHES 08 - Memorial Day Fanfare-March

#9 Recorded 05/28/2025.  "A Merry Jaunt" opens with an optimistic modal motif, then morphs and evolves as it moves on the journey.

SKETCHES 09 - A Merry Jaunt

#10 Recorded 05-31-2025. "View from the Treehouse" takes an impressionist tone while exploring from an "aerie" vantage point. 

SKETCHES 10 - View from the Treehouse

#11 Recorded 06-09-2025.  "Primitive Tendencies" refers to the rhythmic and  modal thrust of the piece which is contrasted by the "civilized" melodic and tonal sections.

SKETCHES 11 - Primitive Tendencies

#12 Recorded 06-10-2025.  "Journey of Innocence" metaphorically refers to a sortie of various musical episodes, simple and tonal in nature, that guide the musical path.  

SKETCHES 12 - Journey of Innocence

Pianist, Composer, Arranger, and a former Broadway and Off-Broadway stage performer and singer.

John Spalla, Pianist & Composer

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