SOMM RECORDINGS celebrates the powerful and dynamic relationship between soloist and orchestra with three works by Nimrod Borenstein, whom Opus klassiek called “Brilliant...an inspired composer but also an inspiring conductor.” Borenstein leads the English Chamber Orchestra in his Concerto for mandolin and orchestra; Shakespeare Songs for soprano and orchestra; and Légende – Concerto for oboe and orchestra. The programme features mandolinist Alon Sariel, honoured for his “dazzling virtuosity” by The Vancouver Sun; soprano Sarah Fox – Honorary Fellow at the University of London’s Royal Holloway College and winner of the Kathleen Ferrier and John Christie awards – praised for her “shining intelligence” by Gramophone; and oboist Sanja Romić, hailed by Zubin Mehta for her “musical depth and lovely tone” and applauded worldwide for her expressive sound and charismatic stage presence.

Nimrod Borenstein – whose substantial catalogue currently numbers more than 100 works ranging from orchestral and chamber music to solo instrumental pieces – made his SOMM debut (SOMMCD281]) conducting the first recordings of his Piano Concerto, piano quintet Light and Darkness, and Shirim for solo piano, celebrated by Pizzicato as “feel-good music of exquisite quality.” With reference to this present release, Borenstein describes the relationship between soloist and orchestra as having an epic, almost theatrical quality. “It can become a moment of confession, or of confrontation,” he says, “a personal voice rising against, or carried by, a collective force.” These elements are richly evident in all three works presented here.

While the qualities of a mandolin can be delicate, quiet, and soft, Borenstein’s choice in composing his Concerto for mandolin and orchestra was to create a work that feels monumental in scope while showcasing the virtuosic capabilities of the instrument. To this end, the composer explored many of the technical ideas and expressive tools pioneered by Paganini for the violin, adapting them to the mandolin’s unique sound.

This release of Borenstein’s Shakespeare Songs reprises his performance in March 2025 at London’s Cadogan Hall with Sarah Fox and the English Chamber Orchestra. In choosing and setting these five Shakespeare sonnets, Borenstein has created both variety and a sense of overall structure ranging from the enchantment of pure beauty in “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” to the despair-turned-hope in “When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes”.

The two-movement Légende – Concerto for oboe and orchestra was written for and premiered by Sanja Romić in 2024. The slow, dance-like opening is like a preamble to a tale about to be told; “Let me tell you a story about a legend I once heard…” The second and final movement is more fiery, with contrasts leading to a faster tempo return of the opening theme, creating a sense of narrative closure before a brilliant, virtuosic conclusion.