Scherzetti for Solo Flute

This is a delightfully quirky contemporary piece for solo flute, composed in March 2020 for a young flute player, Bethany Norman. The piece lasts around five and a half minutes, and is in one continuous movement, with three short scherzo sections interspersed by slower, more expressive material.

The scherzo music is fast paced and energetic, and Connolly's programme notes are delightful, stating that "I think of it like a lizard waiting almost motionless except for the pulse in his neck, and then his tongue shooting out to capture his prey!"

Connolly was a much-loved professor of composition at the Royal College of Music and then at the Royal Academy of Music. Since his death in September 2020 there has been a resurgence of interest in his works, many of which were forgotten after his retirement in 1995.

His music is individual, sometimes angular and sometimes lyrically expressive, exploring harmony with a sense of exploratory adventure. There is a clear compositional logic in his writing, and this little piece for solo flute is no exception; the structure and formal design is immediately clear, despite the sometimes complex note patterns. This piece has an appealing sense of playful adventure, and although the piece is musically sophisticated, the technical demands are not overly challenging - it would be within reach of a university-level player.

Connolly's music has a distinctive voice, and this was the last piece he composed. His well-honed craft is clearly evident, and we are lucky to have this gem in the repertoire, which deserves to be better known.