“The highlights here are the Four Old English Lyrics, to words by Shakespeare and Ben Jonson, among others, in which Stone’s engagingly natural style and immaculate diction are supported by Barlow’s sympathetic playing.” Sunday Times, 14th August 2011 ***
“I've been critical of Mark Stone's use of big primary colours in subtle English songs in the past, but found his approach to Delius far more persuasive, rich in nuance, sensual contrasts of colour and range of textual expression...The partnership between singer and pianist, tested many times in concert and the recording studio, is one of give and take, collectively eloquent and ideally committed to extracting the essence of each song.” Classic FM Magazine, October 2011 ****
“Mark Stone is full and strong across his range, if lacking in variety. His diction is a model of clarity. Stephen Barlow partners him capably and sympathetically, though some of Delius's more complex pianistic effects would have benefited from a less close-up recording...But lovers of Delius's music should snap up this disc.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2011
“The baritone's tone is warm and rich without ever becoming fruity and, when Delius rises to an impassioned climax...Stone produces a noble flood of sound that is truly impressive...full texts are given in English and, where appropriate, in their Norwegian originals...Not that even the English is really necessary, as Stone's diction is so exemplary.” International Record Review, September 2011
“The remarkable thing about this first volume of the collected Delius songs, quite apart from the quality of Mark Stone's singing, is that so few of them are identifiable as the work of Delius...Stone has a remarkable voice, firm and finely focused, which he uses seductively over the widest dynamic and expressive range. His singing is ideally matched by the piano-playing of Stephen Barlow, the whole cleanly and clearly recorded, a credit to Stone Records.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012
