Connolly, Justin (Riveagh)

Connolly, Justin (Riveagh) , English composer and teacher; b. London, Aug. 11, 1933. He was a student of Fricker and Boult at the Royal Coll. of Music in London. He then held a Harkness fellowship at Yale Univ., where he studied with Powell (1963–65) and also taught. Returning to London, he was prof. of theory and composition at the Royal Coll. of Music (1966–89). As a composer, Connolly has followed the structural techniques of the avant-garde, with notable influence from Babbitt and Carter.

Works

DRAMATIC : Chimaera for Dancer, Alto, Baritone, Chorus, Piano, Percussion, and Cello (1979; rev. 1981). ORCH.: Antiphonies (Norfolk, Conn., Aug. 10, 1966); Rebus(1970); Anima for Viola and Orch. (1974; London, March 9, 1975); Diaphony for Organ and Orch. (1977; Winchester, Aug. 31, 1978); Sym. (1991). CHAMBER : Triad I for Trumpet, Viola, and Piano (1964), II for Double Bass, Percussion, and Piano (1965), III for Oboe, Viola, and Cello (1966), IV for Flute, Percussion, and Tape (1969), and V for Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1971); Cinquepaces for Brass Quintet (1965; Cheltenham, July 6, 1968); Tesserae B for Flute and Piano (1970), C for Cello (1971), D for Trumpet and Tape (1971), E for Flute and Double Bass (1972), and F for Clarinet (Leeds, May 30, 1981); Sestina B for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1972; rev. 1978); Ceilidh for 4 Violins (1976); Nocturnal for Flute Quartet, Piano, Double Bass, and Percussion (1991; London, Jan. 20, 1992). KEYBOARD : Piano : Sonatina (1962; rev. 1983); Garden of Forking Paths—Fourfold for Piano Duet (1983; London, Jan. 9, 1984); Ennead, Night Thoughts (1983; London, Jan. 12, 1984). VOCAL: Prose for Chorus (1967); Poems of Wallace Stevens I for Soprano and 7 Players (1967) and II for Soprano, Clarinet, and Piano (London, April 10, 1970); Verse for Chorus (London, March 23, 1969); Poems of Henry Vaughan, No. 1, The Evening Watch for Chorus (1970); Waka for Mezzo-soprano and Piano (1972; rev. version, London, Jan. 29, 1988); Spelt from Sybil’s Leaves for 5 Soloists and Chamber Ensemble (London, June 15, 1989).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire