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SOMM Recordings

Nimrod Borenstein: Concerto for Mandolin and Orchestra; Shak

$20.99

Details

Composer
Nimrod Borenstein
Artist
Sarah Fox, Alon Sariel, Sanja Romic, English Chamber Orchestra
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
Mar 27, 2026
Catalog #
SOMMCD 0719
UPC
748871071926

About

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 Legende - Concerto for oboe and orchestra. The program features mandolinist Alon Sariel, honored 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 Romic, 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 [SOMMCD 281] 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 Legende - Concerto for oboe and orchestra was written for and premiered by Sanja Romic 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.

Tracklist 10 tracks

  1. 1 I. Moderato 05:38
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    05:38
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Alon Sariel
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  2. 2 II. Andante 06:50
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    06:50
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Alon Sariel
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  3. 3 III. Allegro 07:17
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro
    Duration
    07:17
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Alon Sariel
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  4. 4 No. 1. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? 04:53
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 1. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
    Duration
    04:53
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sarah Fox
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  5. 5 No. 2. When my love swears that she is made of truth 02:44
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 2. When my love swears that she is made of truth
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sarah Fox
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  6. 6 No. 3. Love is … 04:37
    Track
    6
    Title
    No. 3. Love is …
    Duration
    04:37
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sarah Fox
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  7. 7 No. 4. For thee, and for myself, no quiet find 03:59
    Track
    7
    Title
    No. 4. For thee, and for myself, no quiet find
    Duration
    03:59
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sarah Fox
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  8. 8 No. 5. When in disgrace with fortune 03:45
    Track
    8
    Title
    No. 5. When in disgrace with fortune
    Duration
    03:45
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sarah Fox
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  9. 9 I. Moderato 10:02
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    10:02
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sanja Romić
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein
  10. 10 II. Allegro 09:22
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    09:22
    Composer
    Nimrod Borenstein
    Performer
    Sanja Romić
    Ensemble
    English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Nimrod Borenstein