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Butterfly

String quartet (young players)

Composed:

2024


Score / parts


Instrumentation and duration

String quartet (for young players)


Duration: 6 minutes



Movements

I. Wings

II. The flight



Commission / dedications

Commissioned by Pirkanmaa Music Institute with funding from Finnish National Agency for Education



Composer's Notes

Butterfly for string quartet was commissioned by the Pirkanmaa Music Institute as part of a project funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education, aimed at commissioning new pedagogical music. As part of this project, new music was commissioned from Finnish professional composers, suitable for inclusion in the repertoire of younger players.

Butterfly is a two-movement piece for string quartet, where students can explore potentially new notation and playing techniques. In the first movement, Wings, each player will have the opportunity to perform not only together with others but also independently as part of the ensemble. This section focuses on ensemble playing, not only in the traditional sense but also with some freedom, encouraging the players to experiment boldly with departures from the conventional, while still following the others.

In the second movement, The flight, the music alternates between playing with the bow and pizzicato. Playing techniques such as col legno battuto and Bartók pizzicato also appear.

 

For the performers: In the first part, you can imagine the slow movement and unfolding of the butterfly’s wings. In the second part, you’ll be part of the butterfly’s flight. Feel free to take liberties and immerse yourselves – and enjoy the journey!

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