“Brenda’s writing is refreshing, intelligent, and inspired. Her vast knowledge of classic forms combined with her unique and colorful harmonies and rhythms help me transcend, as well as my congregation and audiences, to a loftier and more beautiful place here on earth.”
(Martin Ellis, organist/music director, Vancouver, WA)
"Always such a treat to hear Brenda Portman. I have to pick my jaw up off the floor after each piece!"
(Laurie Green-DiSabatino, friend & musician, Grand Blanc, MI)
"Brenda Portman performs this demanding program with polish, security, and esprit...she possesses solid technique and authoritative musicianship..."
(The American Organist, Nov. 2016)
"Portman delivers flawless performances throughout with plenty of flair, bringing to life Laurin's imaginative and demanding scores."
(Choir & Organ, Sept/Oct. 2016)
"Brenda Portman is an enthusiastic advocate of Laurin's music...all her performances reveal the quality of the music, the skilful writing and the myriad tone qualities available from this organ."
(Organists' Review, Sept. 2016)
"Portman plays this well-crafted music with conviction and supplies the virtuosity it often demands."
(American Record Guide, Sept. Oct. 2016)
"I've been listening to great organists play great organs for most of my life. My early memories include Virgil Fox and E. Power Biggs, who were featured on early television and popular recordings. When I heard and saw Brenda play, I knew I was in the presence of an extraordinary musician. She played within herself, with astonishing virtuosity and thrilling musicality. This lovely young mom is a rare find. I hope she understood when I dubbed her E. Power Portman."
(Larry Fillingham, Audience Member, Seattle)
“Brenda Portman’s recital in our AGO chapter recital series at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati was a stunning combination of impeccable technique, remarkable warmth, and musical depth. Her powerful interpretations of Bach and Duruflé were equaled by her dazzling unpublished transcriptions of Brahms piano compositions into gorgeous organ works. A piece for pedals only left the audience breathless. This is a musician of the highest talent, musicianship, and creative energy. No one should miss an opportunity to hear her.”
(Robert Benson, Former Dean, Cincinnati Chapter, AGO)
“...a very gifted performer….a magnificent and brilliant interpretation….certainly one of the most talented musicians of her generation”
(Frédéric Blanc, concert organist, Paris, France)
"Brenda Portman is a major talent. She plays with a great sense of line and she has technique to burn!"
(Douglas Cleveland, University of Washington)
“That recital was the best hour of my life!”
(enthusiastic audience member, Cincinnati)
“knowledgeable in many styles and at home in all of them…one of the finest organists of this generation”
(Marilyn Mason, University of Michigan)
"Brenda Portman is a superb organist, both technically and musically. Her vast knowledge of all genres and periods of the organ literature result in satisfying performances."
(Margaret Kemper, past AGO president)
“memorable both for her firm technical command and her imaginative use of the organ's colors”
(Richard Webster, Trinity Church Boston)
Brenda, I just discovered your music today, and I'm absolutely gobsmacked! Your toccatas are ingenious and thrilling! Your ability to mask a theme and yet draw out a ton of material from it are on par with some of the great French masters. This toccata, in particular [Toccata-Improvisation on Lasst uns erfreuen], reminds me very much of Duruflé's transcription of Tournemire's Victimæ Paschali. Phenomenal. I've ordered your "Again, I Say, Rejoice!" collection. I am thrilled to begin working on these. Brava!
-August 2023
Congrats again – and thanks for – yesterday’s spectacular concert. I’m still glowing. It was just such a surprise – and pleasant shock – to hear all of that incredibly good stuff – none of which (except for Bach) I’d ever heard. Absolutely loved it.
-July 2023
This is the first of your arrangements that I played in a worship service. I now own two of your books, and there are many pieces in them that I want to use in the future. Your music is top quality and a pleasure to work on.
-January 2023
I just wanted to share that I played your piece, Monument, at my recent DMA recital! I so LOVED working on the piece and being able to register it. What an awesome work and the audience loved it! None of my family are musicians, so I am always working to incorporate new music that they can also understand and appreciate. They all went on and on about how much they loved that piece over anything else I played!
-November 2022
Last month I had the privilege of singing in the Augsburg demo choir where we recorded all their new releases including your "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy." I am so taken with this piece! It's incredibly beautiful .... and it is truly a joy to sing - getting to the Micah text is an emotional moment! Thank you for your music and the beauty that it gives to the Church.
-March 2022
I didn’t know your wonderful channel existed until today. As another fellow organist and composer myself, Grace be to God I discovered your gorgeous music!!! You’ve breathed new life into the organ world and made it very amazing to be an organist. Fantastic artistry Brenda!!!!
-October 2020
I have been a pianist and organist for the past 45 years. During those decades, very few pieces for pipe organ have uplifted and inspired me the way your piece does every time I listen to it [Prelude and Tarantelle]. The harmonies and gorgeous swirls of sound in both the slow and fast movements are innovative and indescribably beautiful. The whole composition blew me away the first time I heard it, starting with just the first few measures. Thank you for creating such a brilliant piece. I told my family that if I could write just one professional-level composition for pipe organ, this would be it.
-July 2020