Customer Reviews

Lilies & Simple Gifts

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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Julia Schechtman Pabst brings fresh understanding and sensitive musicality to each of the sacred songs on this impeccable album. She embraces an impressive range of styles, yet all the selections are unified by the pure, thrilling beauty of her voice and her interpretive approach, which is, at once, deeply meditative and joyous. This undercurrent of joy, the "simple gift" of faith, frees Ms. Pabst to express praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and humble, but sure reliance on the Divine, with a conscious clarity that guides her voice and pierces the listener's heart. I was tremendously moved by her singing of "Psalm 23"--a familiar scripture, to be sure, yet she delivered it fresh and revivified, and I could experience its meaning of true comfort again. She made each song so welcoming, inviting us to feel its particular sound texture and quality of emotion. I should mention that the piano accompaniment, performed by noted composer Saul Schechtman, and including some of his own compositions and arrangements, is subtle and wonderful, providing the perfect rejoinders to Ms. Pabst's singing. This is an album that you will find utterly companionable, so keep it handy. It will lift sorrowful spirits and point the way to joy and peace.

"Lilies and Simple Gifts" is sung with the beauty of a lovely, clear voice with natural warmth. I find the arrangements and original compositions by Saul Schechtman to be in balance with the lyric clarity of Ms. Pabst's clear interpretations as can be heard in "The Song of Ruth." Here the subtle, and even playful, texture of the piano complements both the text and the light agility of Ms. Pabst's voice. Haydn's "How Marvelous the Power of God" beautifully imparts the exuberance and joy of the lyric. I also recommend her companion CD "Eye on the Sparrow."

Julia Schechtman Pabst brings fresh understanding and sensitive musicality to each of the sacred songs on this impeccable album. She embraces an impressive range of styles, yet all the selections are unified by the pure, thrilling beauty of her voice and her interpretive approach, which is, at once, deeply meditative and joyous. This undercurrent of joy, the "simple gift" of faith, frees Ms. Pabst to express praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and humble, but sure reliance on the Divine, with a conscious clarity that guides her voice and pierces the listener's heart. I was tremendously moved by her singing of "Psalm 23"--a familiar scripture, to be sure, yet she delivered it fresh and revivified, and I could experience its meaning of true comfort again. She made each song so welcoming, inviting us to feel its particular sound texture and quality of emotion. I should mention that the piano accompaniment, performed by noted composer Saul Schechtman, and including some of his own compositions and arrangements, is subtle and wonderful, providing the perfect rejoinders to Ms. Pabst's singing. This is an album that you will find utterly companionable, so keep it handy. It will lift sorrowful spirits and point the way to joy and peace.