Tom Borrow wins 2023 Terence Judd-Hallé Orchestra Award
The Hallé Orchestra has announced that BBC Radio 3 has selected Israeli pianist Tom Borrow as the latest winner of The Terence Judd-Hallé Award.
The remarkably talented pianist, Terence Judd, tragically passed away in 1979 at the age of just 22. A trust was subsequently established in his name and an award has been presented in association with the Hallé for over 40 years. Notable past recipients include Stephen Hough, Nikolai Lugansky, Elisabeth Brauss and last year’s beneficiary, Alexander Gadjiev.
Each year, an outstanding young pianist approaching the end of the BBC New Generation Artist scheme is selected by the BBC to receive the prestigious Terence Judd-Hallé Award. The award continues to help support the professional development of the winner and includes:
• at least one concerto performance with the Hallé
• a chamber recital with Hallé musicians at Hallé St Peter’s
• a solo recital as part of the Manchester Mid-Day Concert Series
• a cash prize of £7,000
Tom Borrow’s Hallé debut takes place on 21-25 February 2024 with five concerts in Manchester, Hanley and Sheffield. Tom has chosen to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 in a spectacular programme conducted by Maxime Pascal which also includes Brahms’s Tragic Overture and extracts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.
David Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hallé, said: “We are thrilled to welcome BBC New Generation Artist Tom Borrow as the latest recipient of the Terence Judd-Hallé Award which honours the memory of one of this country’s finest young pianists. The award is also a significant addition to our thriving broadcast partnership with BBC Radio 3”.
Tom Borrow said: “I am so thrilled and honoured to receive the Terence Judd-Hallé Award. All the more since this award is in memory of a truly distinguished pianist whose ideals I hope to live up to, and is given by an orchestra whose reputation for superb musicianship is known internationally. And what could be better than to have the opportunity to play with the Hallé at The Bridgewater Hall, in chamber music with its musicians, and even in a recital at the Manchester Mid-Day Concert Series? There could be nothing more encouraging to a young pianist than all of this, and I feel very thankful and, again, deeply honoured”.
Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our BBC New Generation Artist Tom Borrow is to be the next recipient of this prestigious award.” For more information see https://halle.co.uk/news/terence-judd-halle-winner-announced/
Tom Borrow wins tremendous reviews for his US debut,
with the Cleveland Orchestra
Tom Borrow's debut at the Cleveland Orchestras under Thierry Fischer - also his US debut - has been met by a full-house of superlative reviews. Zachary Lewis of the Cleveland Plain Dealer led the critics with his review, "The young Israeli pianist made a sensational debut with the Cleveland Orchestra and captured the spirit of the work and the heart of a sizeable crowd in one fell swoop. In a world teeming with gifted pianists, Borrow stands out with a touch that’s both light and powerful, and supremely incandescent. For a work like the Ravel Concerto, a swirl of Neo-Classical gestures and jazz, it’s as if he were uniquely born and bred...Never did Borrow sound in anything less than complete command. He played with zesty animation and seemed to enjoy the experience immensely. He also played well with others. In the Adagio, after a sublime solo meditation, he crafted a lovely give-and-take with his woodwind colleagues, mirroring their phrasing to a tee." Similarly, Seen And Heard International called it "An electrifying debut", Bachtrack wrote "both technically brilliant and astonishing in its musicality", and La Scena Musicale commented, "Before long I expect (Tom Borrow) will become a major star. At age 21 he has a fabulous technique but also a maturity beyond his years...I can’t recall ever hearing such verve and precision in a performance of the piece."
Tom Borrow scores success with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, under Semyon Bychkov, live streamed by RAI
Tom Borrow's debut with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra under the baton of Semyon Bychkov has been acclaimed as a great success. Haaretz newspaper noted in its review, "music-making with an abundance of lyricism. depth, and also lightness, flow and levitation...In the second movement, Borrow entwined delicate and handsome ornamentations, and the third combined poetry and momentum...The ending was restrained, without exaggerated drama, yet at the same time it was powerful and exciting."
The concert can still be viewed at the time of writing, at: http://www.raiplay.it/dirette/raiplay
Gramophone Magazine names Tom Borrow its
'One To Watch' in the new issue!
Gramophone has accorded Tom its prestigious 'One To Watch' accolade in the February 2020 issue, calling him "an exciting young pianist...(whose playing shows) individuality and elegance". This comes only a few months after International Piano gave Tom its equivalent honour, describing him as "the very definition of 'one to watch'" - making this, as football fans would say, 'the double'! www.gramophone.co.uk
Tom Borrow signs to Hanssler Classic, announces first album!
Hanssler Classic, Germany's largest independent classical recording label, has signed Tom Borrow for his first album. The album is due for release in the near future and will be a solo recital.
U.S. West coast / Canada recital tour set for January 2021
Following his US recital debut in 2020, at the Miami International Piano Festival, Tom is delighted to announce a recital tour of several of North America's most prestigious chamber music societies, including Vancouver Recital Society and Seattle Chamber Music Society: Winter Festival. The concerts will be in January 2021 - check back here for details nearer the time!
