The beauty of Julia Schechtman Pabst’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, which include works by Franck, Gounod, Vaughan Williams, and Bach as well as favorite familiar hymns and solos and inspiring contemporary settings.  

In a time of grief after losing a beloved parent, these songs especially spoke to me, from the depth of kindness shining through Ms. Pabst’s 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!  Together, these songs weave a perfect tapestry of faith. 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.
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“Eye on the Sparrow” is a superb follow up to the lovely CD “Lilies and Simple Gifts” and is similarly full of gems that are powerful and moving. 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, such as the uplifting “Arise, Shine.” I especially can feel her urgency and devotion, and sheer joy, in the range of moods explored in “Psalm in Sync.” The accompaniment and compositions of Saul Schechtman again are the perfect match for Ms. Pabst’s smooth and effortless delivery. The flowing accompaniment and yet subtle depth of emotion is especially evident in the settings of “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” and “God is My Salvation.” I find this collection to be a journey of great spiritual depth that has the entrancing power to take us to a different plane. Highly recommended.
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