A "sketch" traditionally refers to a rough drawing or painting in which an artist notes down his preliminary ideas for a work that will eventually be realized with greater precision and detail. The term also applies to brief creative pieces that per se may have artistic merit.  "SKETCHES for Piano" are original improvised compositions in a classical style created and performed in real time without editing.

SKETCHES for piano

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

#13 Recorded 07-18-2025.  "Optimism Schism" is a tonal piece with a positive impetus, but also with the tension of opposing sections (non-religious.)  

SKETCHES 13 - Optimism Schism

Recorded 07-29-2025. "Pent-up Pandemonium" describes the inner voice of the music as "unrestrained disorder" without devolving into "utter chaos."  The piece has a rhythmic thrust. 

SKETCHES 14 - Pent-up Pandemonium

 "A River Gathering" is an improvised arrangement of the 1864 Robert Lowry hymn, "Shall We Gather At the River" or simply "At the River," which are the popular names for the traditional Christian hymn originally titled "Beautiful River." Google AI says, "It has become a beloved and enduring hymn, embraced by generations of believers for its comforting words and vision of eternal peace."  Amen.

SKETCHES 15 - A River Gathering

Recorded 09-30-2025. "Waking Up" means to become conscious after sleeping or to become more alert and active after a period of inactivity or inattentiveness. It refers to the physical process of coming out of sleep, as well as the metaphorical idea of being aroused, energized, or brought to a new level of awareness. This piece emerges after a period of creative inactivity. 

SKETCHES 16 - Waking Up

Recorded 10-04-2025. "Restless Dreams" flows through episodes of tonal dreaminess, but with a conflicted subconscious.

SKETCHES 17 -Restless Dreams

Recorded 10-09-2025. Revelation 14:2-3 reads, “I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps."  The piece, "Dead Harps Go to Heaven" is a poetical musical fantasy on this notion. 

SKETCHES 18 - Dead Harps Go to Heaven

Recorded 10-15-2025.  The syllables of "Express Yourself" create the 4-note motif that is the starting point and germ of the piece. Expression follows.

SKETCHES 19 - Express Yourself

 Recorded 11-23-2025. "Hey Diddy Ho (and tra-la-la!)" begins with a brisk, Allegretto theme followed by a broader middle section and then returning to the Allegretto.  This overall A-B-A structure is also echoed in the middle "B" section  which starts with a descending theme ("C") followed by a melodic ascending theme ("D") and then returning to the descending "C" theme before returning to the original Allegretto A-B-A.  This classical structure informs the overall style of the piece.

SKETCHES 20 -Hey, Ditty Ho (and tra-la-la!)

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

SKETCHES for piano

John Spalla, Pianist & Composer