Julia Schechtman Pabst : Psalms And Prophets (Classical Sacred Songs From The Scriptures)

An expressive, distinctive soprano voice, whose tender pianissimi and brilliant high notes have been heard in roles such as Gilda, Susanna, Rosina, Adele, Zerbinetta. (Her opera CD, 'Brilliant!,' consisting of breathtaking coloratura arias, is available digitally on CDBaby and iTunes.) In her CDs of sacred music she turns to her favorite lyric sacred songs. On Boesendorfer is Saul Schechtman, conductor of the tv series Omnibus, chamber orchestra Orchestra Piccola, guest conductor with theater and radio orchestras in Germany, Holland, Scandanavia, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.'Psalms and Prophets' is a brilliantly structured album, a perfect fit of song to song. The more traditional pieces are remarkable for the atmosphere of peace they exude. All in all, it's a refreshing and an energizing listen, from the first piece that resembles a joyous sprint out of the starting gate, to the last song of power and affirmation. 'Pure, thrilling beauty of voice. At once deeply meditative and joyous.' (L. Gott) - amazon.com review for 'Lilies and Simple Gifts,' a companion album.SCHECHTMAN COMPOSITIONSParticularly featured are four of Saul Schechtman's dramatic, multi-faceted, shorter pieces -- works that stand up to repeated listenings and continue to reveal new depths. Reviewers comment: '[Psalm 23] a truly unified (and exciting) composition that ...has to be heard in its entirety. What an ending! The Song of Ruth' is also a great, moving song.'And although it is a piece perhaps atypical for the Schechtman compositional style, his opener, 'Psalm in Sync,' is infused with energy and joy, as is 'Psalm 100,' which reaches out and grabs you from the first chord.' 'I was surprised how much I was moved by this new version of Psalm 23- whereas I had felt weary of that particular psalm by too long acquaintance, here it seemed fresh and revivified, and I could recapture its real meaning of comfort again.' - Dr. L. Gott, amazon.comThis album is an intense, invigorating listening experience.REVIEWS FOR CDs, 'EYE ON THE SPARROW' and 'LILIES AND SIMPLE GIFTS''The warmth of Ms. Pabstas 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'This voice is a rare instrument, beautiful and very individual, you'd recognize it anywhere, and the artist is both expressive and self-effacing. The piano accompaniment is sensitive, stylistically flawless.' -- review on Amazon.comEXCERPTS FROM GERMAN OPERA REVIEWS:'A stroke of luck: Julia Schechtman. Great expressivity, vocal presence in all registers, and modulative ability...''Her trustworthy musicianship, her masterly execution directed towards lyrical beauty of sound, evoked bravos and ovations.' a Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung' Remarkable how Julia Schechtman masters the [nuances] with surety of intonation as well as vocal loveliness.' a Ruhr-Nachrichten'aE sparkled with a glorious voice that even in the top notes radiated clarity and sureness.' a Westfaelische Rundschau