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-part piece for string quartet, where students can explore potentially new notation and playing techniques. In the first part, 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 part, 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!

This work is written for young players, but it's also suitable for professional musicians.

– Markku Klami, November 2024