On 14 March, Métier marks a landmark double album celebrating the music of Justin Connolly spearheaded by Neil Heyde, members of the Kreutzer Quartet and the Royal Academy of Music! Featuring world premiere recordings of his intricately crafted works, this release shines a long-overdue spotlight on a composer once named by Pierre Boulez among the most compelling British voices of his era. Pre-order now at metierrecords.co.uk

Connolly’s music, characterized by conceptual rigor, lyrical intensity, and flashes of playful invention, has remained largely absent from the public stage in recent decades. A long compositional hiatus in the late 20th century may have contributed to this neglect, but his unique voice is now rediscovered through this comprehensive recording.

Cellist and producer Neil Heyde reflects on Connolly’s impact as an inspirational teacher at the Royal Academy of Music and as a curious, collaborative force within the musical community: “His intellectual engagement with music was unparalleled, and his enthusiasm for exploring the unconventional was as legendary as his generosity of spirit. This project seeks to capture the essence of his unique sensibility through these premiere recordings.”