Karen Salicath Jamali’s “Angel Haniel’s Clearing” is a composition with an ethereal transmission. Born of a dream and shaped by divine influence, the solo piano piece arrives like a whisper from the unseen world, gently parting the veil between chaos and serenity. Known for her miraculous origin story – an unexplainable gift to compose music after a near-death experience, Salicath doesn’t write songs in the traditional sense; she receives them. With this track, she channels the grace and clarity of Archangel Haniel, crafting a soundscape that feels more like a spiritual clearing than a piece of music.
The opening notes float as if suspended in golden light. Played on her 80-year-old Steinway, the instrument’s vintage warmth becomes an emotional conduit, wrapping each phrase in a hushed resonance that feels timeless. There’s no urgency here, no excess flourish, but space, breath, and a sense of gentle unveiling. The harmonies shimmer in soft arcs, like ripples in still water, guiding the listener deeper into quiet introspection. As the piece unfolds, time seems to dilate, a quality not unlike the sensation of standing in sunlight after a storm has passed.
What sets “Angel Haniel’s Clearing” apart is its spiritual source and the intimacy of its execution. Salicath plays as if she’s alone in a sacred space, with only the listener and the angel present. The emotional clarity associated with Haniel is palpable throughout, especially in the silences between notes. This is where the piece breathes—where its intention crystallises. It’s not music made to impress, but meant to heal. In an era of constant overstimulation, this composition serves as a balm, gently coaxing the listener back to themselves.
Mastering engineer Maria Triana (whose storied resume includes legends like Billie Holiday and Itzhak Perlman) adds a final layer of sonic polish, allowing every delicate nuance of Salicath’s playing to radiate with clarity and warmth. The experience is further deepened by the cover artwork, painted by Salicath herself, serving as a visual extension of the music’s meditative energy. It’s rare to encounter an artist so holistically committed to channelling spirit through multiple senses, but here, sound and image align in seamless communion.
Ultimately, “Angel Haniel’s Clearing” is a listening experience and a ritual in miniature. It invites stillness without demanding it. It stirs emotion without overwhelming. It reminds us that, beneath the noise of modern life, there is a deeper rhythm available to those willing to listen. Karen Salicath Jamali continues to chart her mystic path in contemporary classical music, and in doing so, she offers the rest of us a moment of grace in a world sorely in need of it.
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