Remembering Justin Connolly

We were sad to learn of the passing of British composer Justin Connolly who died on September 29. Justin was born in 1933 and studied composition and conducting with Peter Racine Fricker at the Royal College of Music, earning prizes in both categories. His early music was very much influenced by serialism but was all withdrawn. He found his own voice after three years at Yale where he began his teaching career, later teaching back in England and the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy as well as being visiting lecturer in composition at the Universities of Melbourne and California (Santa Barbara). He was also a conspicuous figure at Dartington and Tanglewood. During the 1990s he produced a steady stream of works characterized by a strong and sensitive word setting technique in his vocal works, and powerful melodic phrasing within complex forms culminating in the masterpiece Scardanelli Dreams.

Lately, Connolly has been rather neglected due to the youth culture within some new music circles but his music remains testimony to a very individual and inspired composer. Scardanelli Dreams and other works were recorded for his Métier album ‘Night Thoughts’ (MSVCD92046).

Recordings of the music of Justin Connolly