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“The music’s charm lies in melodies so immediate in sentiment that they will get students emotionally involved with their instrument quickly and easily.”

Music Teacher Magazine | December 2022

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… a mixture of robust ( Variations on a Christmas Carol and Avanti) and sonorous melodies ( Summer Memory and Lament)… suitable for a concert environment …and a welcome addition to the repertoire.

Arco magazine, April 2023

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Throughout my time teaching the cello most of my students will find at least one tune that sparks joy and inspires enthusiasm when all else fails….that one exhausted tune that is played again and again when scales and studies are allowed to lie fallow. Joanna Borrett's new compendium, Folk and Beyond, is full of those tunes.

Music Teacher Magazine, December 2022

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"This is a collection that is guaranteed to make the most reticent of pupils smile - and even practise"

Nina-Marie Plapp, Music Teacher Magazine

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"Composed with great passion, Joanna Borrett's Clan is an authentic journey with warm melodies. It makes you feel part of a story that's sometimes peaceful and sometimes projects intense emotions. A true work of art."

Eduardo Cruz, endsessions.com, November 2023

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"Joanna tells a story through sound that enthralls the listener and transports them to an ancient culture that evokes fantastic scenarios"

CarouselEvista.com, October 2023

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"A really gorgeous piece of music , conjuring up evocative pictures in your mind”

Jane Howkins, November 2023York Calling, Classical Favourites

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"The music plays out like a ballet suite, a wistful introduction leading to a pithy, catchy reel lasting barely a minute and a euphonious celebration of unity, “Us”. Borrett’s language is tonal and accessible, the string writing alluding to a very English tradition. Think Holst or Warlock, in a good way.
Borrett’s concision is striking, with much incident packed into movements which rarely exceed three minutes; Clan lasts just over 19 minutes but feels much bigger. “Betrayal” and “Armour and Battlefield” take us into impressively astringent territory... and a final “Chant” has wordless vocals before a solemn, downbeat close."

Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk, March, 2024

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"Clan forges a strong connection between folk and classical music and the stories therein come to thrilling life ... with such passion, beauty, and feeling."

Simon Godley, God is in the TV, April 2024

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"The ten pieces in this collection all fall around the Grade 4–6 level of technical ability, but the emotional depth and sheer beauty of melodic line make them an ideal addition to a more intimate style of recital programming, at any level."

Music Teacher magazine, October 2024

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"The ten pieces in this collection all fall around the Grade 4–6 level of technical ability, but the emotional depth and sheer beauty of melodic line make them an ideal addition to a more intimate style of recital programming, at any level."

Music Teacher Magazine, October 2024

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"Within the collection, a player can explore a range of techniques, including harmonics, col legno, ponticello, tapping, pizzicato, and even singing, alongside exploring the rich legato and bel canto qualities of their instrument."

Music Teacher Magazine, October 2024

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"The suite of the ten pieces is excellently crafted, many being successful as stand-alone works. (The fifth movement) 'Highlands' includes some wonderful interplay between the two instruments, with the string line having the expansive melody to start, and then swapping roles, with the piano having the sweeping lines and the string instrument the running accompanying passages. This is another gem of a piece"

Music Teacher Magazine, October 2024

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"This set of ten pieces was originally written for cello and piano and the transcription up one octave for viola works well. Pianist Martin Holford and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the music and were in agreement that the pieces would work well in performance either as selections of two or three movements or as a complete cycle."

Brenda Stewart, Arco Magazine, October 2024

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"The Scottish idioms are pleasing and effective, building to a battle, and in its aftermath the poignant combination of a well-known tune with the opening theme brings the work to a close. The special effects are great fun, particularly the 'drum-beat' tapping on the instruments. Movement nine, where the viola strums and hums the melody with a single line on the piano, was very moving. "

Brenda Stewart, Arco Magazine, October 2024

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"A lovely set of pieces and a great addition to the viola repertoire."

Brenda Stewart, Arco Magazine, October 2024