Artist : Jarrar Family
Album : Relief
Label : Jarrar Family

I remember when the Katrina disaster struck, the devastation and hardship almost immediately followed by hard words and accusations.  It was one of the most negative times in America’s recent history.

Now is the time for healing.  Let the children lead the way.

Felix and Petra Jarrar are an amazing brother and sister team that has partnered for a great cause. Their album of piano pieces begins with Petra’s elegant musical treatment of Lichner’s ‘A Short Story’. Both Petra and Felix have an elegant and clean piano technique. Petra shines in both of her selections, showing a beautiful sense of control and musical understanding in ‘Minuet’, from the A.M. Bach Notebook.

Felix shows masterful composition technique in his original pieces. His ‘Ocean Waves’ brings to mind wonderful imagery of people watching a calm sea that quickly becomes tumultuous and destructive. His use of the bass notes on the piano is extremely effective in this composition. Felix is musically well-rounded and has a fine grasp of classical styles. His compositions feature complex harmonic development as well as some twentieth century style attributes.  It is truly wonderful that these children are using their talents to help those in need.

For Fans Of : Classical,
High Points : "Ocean Waves", "A Short Story"
Reviewed By : Dave Goff (for Phantom Power)