Youthful wonder, headlong motion, parting, defiance, and déjà vu converge in Moments of Freedom, the debut song cycle from British composer and cellist Joanna Borrett, arriving 29 September 2025. Written for mezzo-soprano and piano, the five-song collection distils stages of life into concise, eloquent scenes that highlight Borrett’s ear for melody and her instinct for emotional clarity.
Recorded at the Royal College of Music (RCM), the project brings together rising talents mezzo-soprano Angelina Dorlin-Barlow and pianist Firoze Madon, a former BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist. Guided by Nick Sears, Head of Vocal Studies at RCM, the sessions embody the conservatoire’s commitment to contemporary creation and to nurturing collaborations between artists at different points in their careers. “Collaboration with living composers is central to our ethos at RCM. It is invaluable for young singers to feel they can contribute to the future of music in this way,” says Sears.
Borrett’s path to this milestone is as striking as the music itself. An acclaimed cellist who stepped away from professional performance for two decades, she returned to classical music with a resolve to reinvent—teaching herself to improvise, arrange, and ultimately compose. That self-led renaissance has since borne remarkable fruit: publication with Kevin Mayhew Publishers; broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and Magic Classical; a Gramophone Video of the Day feature; and performances of her string works by the Duchess of Edinburgh’s string orchestra at royal investitures in Holyrood Palace. Three of her string pieces now appear on the internationally respected Trinity exam syllabus, underscoring her growing stature in contemporary classical music.
“Moments of Freedom is a cycle of five songs that represent different stages of life,” Borrett says. “Working with Angelina and Firoze was a joy — their insight, commitment, and talent brought the music to life in a way that exceeded my dreams.” Built around texts by A.A. Milne, W.E. Henley, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, with an additional contemporary poem, the cycle marries luminous vocal writing with piano parts that move from crystalline delicacy to athletic drive.
The five songs:
- In Daydreaming (A.A. Milne) – A child’s dream of sailing away to find their own world.
- The Horse Gallops By (Ballad Belle) – The thrill and freedom of motion.
- A Little While (D.G. Rossetti) – The quiet sadness of an ending love.
- Unconquered (W.E. Henley) – A declaration of resilience against adversity.
- Sudden Light (D.G. Rossetti) – A moment of déjà vu and eternal connection.
For Borrett, the album is both artistic statement and personal testament. “It’s exhilarating — and a little surreal — to be starting a new career in my sixties,” she shares. “This project is proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion.”