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Reviews from Listeners

Her brilliant and gorgeous voice flows from her heart. — Takae Ohnishi, Harpsichordist; Lecturer, UCSD

The remarkable voice, the sensitive accompaniment! — C. Coddington

I cried! …It was so spectacular… What really impressed me — beside [the] glorious voice — was [the] diction — could understand every word… I felt privileged to hear it. — Marion Meyers, Long Beach, NY

Lilies and Simple Gifts

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. [She has] 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…

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… 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. — From review on Amazon.com

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. — From review on Amazon.com

Recently, I often had patients who had to wait before their appointments. So during that time [in the waiting room] I had [the CD Einfache Gaben] playing softly. Over and over again I was told: 'I feel so good after hearing this music.' Or: 'My, that was uplifting!' — from Berlin, Germany

I love [Lilies and Simple Gifts.] It's very calming… I play it all the time. I have it in my car. I bought it expecting to listen to it a couple times and then [to] put it away. [But] I was very surprised to enjoy it and listen to it as much as I have. My first REALLY big surprise was when I noticed I was singing along with it in my car. I don't sing along with even my own style of music! — Jef Scoville, folk singer

The Song of Ruth is indescribable in its beauty of conveying Ruth's promise to Naomi. I can easily see why the "Song of Ruth" would be a perfect solo for a wedding.… "Consider the Lilies" is my favorite passage from the Sermon on the Mount, and it is perfect how it is the pivot of the album and also the title, the fresh and ringing "Simple Gifts"… Finally, let me say that "The Holy City" rocked me back on my heels, 'blew me away!' — Dr. L. Pollard-Gott, author, Princeton, NJ, www.fictional100.com

I listen to the CD [Lilies and Simple Gifts] every day and always feel uplifted! It really provides such pure joy and inspiration. — Susan R., Needham, MA

Die CD Einfache Gaben habe ich bereits und bin davon begeistert. Ich höre sie morgens nach dem Aufstehen und abends vor dem Einschlafen und natürlich auch zwischendurch. Für mich ist es mittlerweile wie eine musikalische "Behandlung". Und besonders die sehr kraftvoll gesungenen Passagen kommen mir im Laufe des Tages immer wieder in den Sinn und helfen mir oder stärken mich. Vielen, vielen Dank!!! — Frank Dietrich, Krefeld, Germany

[Einfache Gaben] gefällt mir von Mal zu Mal besser, so schön singen zu können ist wirklich ein Geschenk. — W. Klenk, Bayern, Germany

Eye on the Sparrow

The beauty of Julia Schechtman's pure, shimmering soprano is reason enough to own this album, to have the privilege anytime of listening to her sensitive renderings of these fourteen magnificent sacred songs. Yet along with her obvious vocal excellence comes a sustained passion for the material she is communicating, and her voice remains transparently alive to the sacred themes in the pieces she has chosen…

In a time of grief after losing a beloved parent, these songs especially spoke to me, from the depth of kindness shining through [her] voice, and I was refreshed. The album finishes with Malotte's famously majestic setting of "The Lord's Prayer," which the artist handles attentively, powerfully, and—shall I say it?—prayerfully! Composer and arranger Saul Schechtman makes an essential contribution to the superb quality of this album, from the first sprightly dancing notes of the sparrow in the opening selection, to his original song setting (the sublime "Psalm in Sync"), and throughout, with his sure and evocative accompaniment. With many listenings, this album draws even closer to the heart, becoming a deep tonic to the soul. — From review on Amazon.com

I cannot listen to His Eye is on the Sparrow without tears streaming down my face. — C. Rea

Beautiful voice… "Psalm in Sync" is delightful! — M.B. Armes, Erie, PA

The warmth of Ms. Pabst's voice and the quality of the acoustics let you feel as if you were sitting in the front row of the recital hall or even a private hearing. Her voice soars to deliver the beauty of each setting. — R. Neumann