Name: SKETCHES 16 - Waking Up by John Spalla, Pianist & Composer in SKETCHES for piano
Duration: 3 min 54 s
Description: 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.

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

#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

AI Cowboy

Can you believe it’s been 10 whole years since the release The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? I still can' t believe it :) This is a masterpiece among video games! In honor of the anniversary of the game, I wrote a soundtrack for you called "Dragonborn"
Listen and enjoy!

TALOS(SKYRIM 10TH ANNIVERSARY)

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"

Watch the video version on my YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/nT40l75GKak
 The sheet music of some of my compositions can be downloaded from my website https://pianoimprovictor.com/
You can support me on Bandcamp https://pianoimprovictor.bandcamp.com/
If you like my music – share it with your friends!

The Road Of Memories

Art picture by tomoko-uji-Oq6Mdb4o6vA-Unsplash

Une Fantaisie Opus 23

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 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

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

SKETCHES 16 - Waking Up

John Spalla, Pianist & Composer

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