Sarah Pillow & Jeff Johnson "Grace in Time"
Just north of Times Square, on West 46th Street, stands the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The Parish, orginally formed in 1867, was founded on a principle of Catholic thought in ritual and teaching in the Episcopal Church. Lovingly known as “Smokey Mary’s” from the high volume of incense used during its services, St. Mary the Virgin is a peaceful haven steps away from the busiest intersection in the world. It is in this sanctuary where Sarah Pillow and Jeffrey C. Johnson recorded their 3rd Form Records release, Grace in Time, a selection of spiritual songs for voice and organ featuring works by Mozart, Mahler, Hugo Wolf, Arthur Sullivan, Louis Vierne, and Duke Ellington on themes of love, immortality and heavenly life. Jeffrey’s performance on the celebrated Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ in this spacious acoustic forms the perfect backdrop for Sarah’s joyful, ethereal singing.
Track Listing
Exsultate, jubilate k. 165 W.A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)
1. Allegro - Recitative
2. Andante
3. Alleluia
Three songs from Mörike-Lieder Hugo Wolf (1860 – 1903) Eduard Mörike (1804 – 1875) arr. Max Reger (1873 – 1916)
Schlafendes Jesuskind
Charwoche
Gebet
Come Sunday (1943) Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899 – 1974) (G. Schirmer, Inc.) from Sacred Concert No. 1
King of Glory David Charles Walker (b. 1938) (Selah Publishing, Inc.) George Herbert, 1593-1633
Les Angélus (1930 – 1931) Louis Vierne (1870 – 1937) Jehan le Povre Moyne (1903 – 1970) Trans. Thomas A. Gregg © 2003
Au Matin
A Midi
Au Soir
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (1901) Gustav Mahler (1860 – 1911) Friedrich Rückert (1788 – 1866) Trans. Emily Ezust
The Lost Chord (1877) Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842 – 1900) Adelaide Anne Procter (1825 – 1864
Album Credits
Recorded in July and November, 2009
at Saint Mary the Virgin Church on West 46th Street, New York City
Recorded and edited by Marc Wagnon
Produced by Jeffrey C. Johnson and Sarah Pillow
Executive Producer: Marc Wagnon
Cover Design: Marc Wagnon
Photography: Aline Wagnon and Marc Flajolet
Special Thanks to:
Aline Wagnon; Marc Flajolet; Sasha Richter
for her beautiful angel wings; Marc Wagnon;
Mary Anne Ballard; the Parish, Parishioners,
Clergy, Staff and especially James Kenner-
ley, Music Director of St. Mary the Virgin
Church, for the use of this sacred space and
historic pipe organ