In both works, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, directed by Marcus Creed, produces an excellently-integrated sound, although they might have been bolder in defining climatic phrases in the longer movements…The choir’s Czech declamation could be more pointed, but overall the singers deliver performances that capture the restrained radiance of these lovely works.

[Martin] Marcus Creed and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble give an exemplary reading of this beautiful work, with a near-perfect balance between the voices and evenness of tone across the ensemble. Creed and his Danish forces are as adept in Martinu as they are in Martin. Their CD is an important release.

Martin’s wonderful Songs of Ariel are given a virtuoso rendition that brings out every nuance and are alone worth the price of the disc…The Four Songs of the Virgin Mary are works of tremendous subtlety, and beautifully sung: while they are peaks of the Czech choral repertoire, I do hope that performances by non-Czech choirs, especially of this standard, will bring these works into greater international circulation.

…this is one of the most enjoyable discs I have reviewed in some time. With exemplary performances and recorded sound, the SACD should be in the collection of anyone who cares about twentieth-century choral music.