Joanna Borrett’s new release explores life’s stages through five expressive vocal-piano pieces.
Composer and cellist Joanna Borrett is preparing to release her first major work, Moments of Freedom, on 29 September 2025. The five-song cycle, written for mezzo-soprano and piano, portrays a journey through life’s various stages — from innocence and discovery to love, strength, and emotional continuity.
Recorded at the Royal College of Music, the project includes performances by the dynamic Angelina Dorlin-Barlow and accomplished pianist Firoze Madon, a former finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. Their collaboration, along with input from Nick Sears, Head of Vocal Studies at RCM, reflects a meeting of experience and emerging talent. 
Joanna reflects on the recording, stating, “Moments of Freedom is a cycle of five songs that represent different stages of life. Working with Angelina and Firoze was a joy — their insight and commitment added an extra element to the music and I was thrilled by their artistry.”
Her return to music after a two-decade absence was driven by a desire to create something meaningful. Joanna began composing independently, learning the craft through improvisation and arrangement. Eventually, her dedication led to a publishing deal with Kevin Mayhew Publishers.
The recognition didn’t stop there. Her music has been aired on platforms like BBC Radio 3 and Magic Classical, and featured by Gramophone. Notably, her string works have been performed at Holyrood Palace by the Duchess of Edinburgh’s string orchestra.
A further testament to her growing influence is the inclusion of three of her string compositions in the Trinity College London exam syllabus, an important benchmark in contemporary classical music circles.
