"Marie Searles then performed a luscious solo piece on harpsichord –L’Aimable by Joseph Royer, a French composer who taught the children of King Louis XV. This had the feeling of a piece for solo guitar, with exaggerated push/pull tempos and melodic passages ending in paused chords. Searles, freed from continuo duties for a moment, was masterfully expressive and technically perfect."

Writer: Michael Wilson; Photo: Peter Hislop

Limelight (9th June 2026)

"Baroque music... has a reputation for beauty but austerity, and in less joyful hands can be a little samey. The unbridled enthusiasm of this particular ensemble always dispatches that concern, and is tremendously engaging."

"Royer’s L’Aimable, a lilting, tender piece beautifully performed by Searle on solo harpsichord"

"...lachrymose and excited in turns, with a gypsy feel, romantic through to it’s insistent, upbeat conclusion."

Writer: Sarah Byrne; Photo: Peter Hislop

Canberra CityNews (8th June 2026)

"John and Marie are our locals but I pinch myself when I say it. Like many who spend time studying and performing in European music circles, they are wonderful, informed and skilled but they are here and super friendly and helpful and open."

"All played with skill but also knowledge and joy. What a pleasure!"

Writer: Eric Pozza; Photo: Eric Pozza

Canberra Jazz Blog (5th March 2026)

"...it was clear that Ma and Searles were having immense fun with this music..."

"this summery afternoon’s beautifully assembled and precisely executed performance finished

....sweet and longing in minor mode, in the style of variations around a central melody, complete with a final mischievous, improvised flourish"

Writer: Michael Wilson; Photo: Dalice Trost

Canberra CityNews (3rd November 2025)

"Marie Searles on harpsichord underpinning the strings reliably and carrying the three-movement work forward with even tempo."

"..highly entertaining and informative concert of the baroque world’s lesser-known composers"

"...all part of seeing the ribs of good music-making."

Writer: Michael Wilson; Photo: Matthew Teh

Canberra CityNews (7th July 2025)

"...an admiration of the work John Ma and Marie Searles must do in tracking down these forgotten gems of the Baroque."

"...rumbling harpsichord from Searles"

Writer: Graham McDonald; Photo: Dalice Trost

Canberra CityNews (24th March 2025)

"...thoughtfully curated and delightfully informal concert"

"The performance blended musical scholarship with joy, and was a rich reminder of how vibrant, varied and downright fun historically informed performance can be."

"Quietly anchoring the ensemble throughout was Marie Searles at the harpsichord, whose sensitive continuo playing provided both structure and subtle colour, a steady presence beneath the more flamboyant textures and an essential part of the concert’s success."

Writer: Pepe Newton; Photo: Pepe Newton

ClassikON (23rd March 2025)

"But as always from John and Marie, much joy, much playful, bouncy, capable playing and even much education in composers and the times. You couldn't want for more."

Writer: Eric Pozza; Photo: Eric Pozza

Canberra Jazz Blog (7th March 2025)

"...a concert full of music by almost totally forgotten composers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and conceived around the use of the fortepiano, played with great skill by Searles."

"...larger works were separated by a delightful solo from Searles..."

Writer: Graham McDonald; Photo: Peter Hislop

Canberra CityNews (19th August 2024)

"The music in this unusual and entertaining concert was beautifully played by Ma and Searles."

Writer: Len Power; Photo: Peter Hislop

Canberra CityNews (10th June 2024)

"...devastatingly capable players."

"... film themes were lovely, delightfully and touchingly played"

"...a classic concert of great skills and beauty with a lovingly moderate conception."

Writer: Eric Pozza; Photo: Eric Pozza  

Canberra Jazz Blog (3rd August 2023)

"...Searles is more restrained with the occasional smile at the end of a work."

"...precise walking bass and rippling arpeggios from Searles..."

"...a most impressive first concert for this duo. This might well be the start of some very interesting music making in Canberra and I look forward to hearing what they do next."

Writer: Graham McDonald; Photo: Graham McDonald  

CBR CityNews (14th November 2022)

"Both these pieces are most attractive and the Williams/ Searles duo brought them to life."

"...high degree of musical skill, yet kept comfortable and welcoming with enthusiastically casual and informative introductions"

Writer: Graham McDonald; Photo: Peter Hislop

CBR CityNews (30th September 2022)

"Marie Searles also played the Walter copy, with sonatas by CPE Bach and late 18th century French composer Jean-Frederick Edelmann, joined by John Ma on violin for the second work. She then moved to the second fortepiano for a short impromptu by Franz Schubert, all played with great poise and skill."

Writer: Graham McDonald; Photo: Peter Hislop

CBR CityNews (10th August 2022)