The Marian Consort Wins Prestigious Accolade

We are thrilled that the members of the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics) have decided to award the Quarterly Critic’s Choice accolade to The Marian Consort for its recording of motets by the little-known Renaissance composer Vicente Lusitano. Winning in the Early Music category, the jury explains why Vicente Lusitano: Motets is so special:

"Vicente Lusitano, son of an African mother and a Portuguese father, was arguably the first black composer in European notated music history. Rory McCleery, the leader of the English vocal ensemble The Marian Consort, has discovered Lusitano’s only print, published in Rome in 1551, and presents this spectacular find for the first time in a recording that is also outstanding in terms of interpretation. In their dense, complex counterpoint and bold chromaticism, the ten motets turn out to be masterpieces of Renaissance polyphony. The Marian Consort lets their high art shine with magical clarity and beauty."

View the entire winners' list here for Quarter 01/23.