Die Aufname ist tatsächlich kaum zu toppen. Grace Davidsons glasklarer Sopran, Martha McLorinans warmer Mezzosopran, Nicholas Todds schlanker Tenor und das stilistisch sattelfest, 2005 gegründete Vokalensemble Alamire unter der Leitung von David Skinner sowie das erfahrene britische Consort Fretwork, das in diesem Jahr sein 35jähriges Bestehen (mit welchselnder Besetzung) feiert, gewährleisten eine interpretatorische Qualität, die ein uneingeschränktes Vergnügen gewährt. Sofern Lieder von Traurigkeit und Mitgefühl Vergnügen bereiten können.
(The recording is hard to top. Grace Davidson’s glass-clear soprano, Martha McLorinan’s warm mezzo-soprano, Nicholas Todd’s thin tenor, and the stylistically saturated vocal ensemble Alamire founded in 2005, led by David Skinner, and the experienced British Consort of Fretwork which this year is celebrating its 35 year existence, guarantees an interpretative quality that gives an unreserved pleasure. If songs of sadness and compassion can give pleasure.)
kultura-extra.de, May 2021
Written by Thomas Rothschild
It is a pleasure to report that everything about this double album is excellent. The music, the concept, the soloists, the ensembles and the recording quality are all outstanding… arguably the greatest song in the collection, the concluding lament for Sir Philip Sidney O that most rare breast sung here with controlled intensity by the mezzo Martha McLorinan.
earlymusicreview.com, April 2021
Written by Richard Turbet
Hearing it in this hypnotically beautiful version for solo voice and viols is special.
BBC Radio 3 Record Review, April 2021
Written by Andrew McGregor
Perhaps the highlight of an exquisite concert was the pairing of Judith Bingham’s The Drowned Lovers with Stanford’s The Bluebird. Bingham conceived her piece as a prologue to Stanford’s impressionistic piece (written nearly 90 years before), and there were many textual and musical echoes between the two. The ululating backdrop from the choir was perfectly graduated to allow mezzo-soprano Martha McLorinan to come through as a rich lyrical presence… Without question this was one of the most atmospheric and well-conceived choral concerts in Sydney in recent years.
bachtrack.com, January 2020
Written by David Larkin
A highlight of the programme was The Drowned Lovers, a vivid work- featuring the dark, plangent Mezzo of soloist Martha McLorinan- by Judith Bingham.
Limelight, January 2020
Written by Angus McPherson
Lawrence White was soloist in that movement, a superb example of Skidmore’s policy of drawing vocal soloists from within his choral forces. Another, among many, was Martha McLorinan, with her sorrowing, Pieta-like “Agnus Dei”.
midlandsmusicreviews.com, December 2019
Written by Christopher Morley
Mezzo Martha McLorinan, the evening’s soloist, is a phenomenon, with a rich, expressive voice.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 2019
Written by Sarah Bryan Miller
Mezzo soprano Martha McLorinan and tenor Jeremy Budd gave of their all to a hushed audience with perfect phrasing and impressive Russian script throughout.
Midlandsmusicreviews.com, October 2019
Written by Maggie Cotton
Das Fließende Ineinander von Solo- und Chorgesang ergibt vielfältige Abstufungen swischen großem, prachtvollem Klang in den Tutti und und Seelenvollem, leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck in den Soli. Charlotte Shaw und Martha McLorinan, Matthew Long und Matthew Brook glänzen mit lebendiger Genauigkeit ganz im Dienst der großen Sache, ohne aufgesetzte Attitüde.
(The flowing intertwining of solo and choral singing results in a variety of gradations between great magnificent sound in the tutti and soulful, passionate expression in the solos. Charlotte Shaw, Martha McLorinan, Matthew Long and Matthew Brook shine with vivid accuracy in service of the great thing, without a set attitude.)
Bürstädter Zeitung, August 2019
Written by Dietrich Stern
The second movement, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul’ introduced us to the mezzo soloist, Martha McLorinan. I remember that at last year’s Three Choirs Festival, singing with Tenebrae, she took the crucial solo role in Judith Bingham’s ‘A Walk with Ivor Gurney’. She impressed me then and here, in a very different musical context, I admired her singing once again. Her tone was lustrous, and she voiced the music in a gently expressive way that was entirely appropriate.
seenandheard-international.com, July 2019
Written by John Quinn