Ruminations for String Quartet

Based on ruminations ("the action or process of thinking deeply about something") on "contingent ephmeral art" and the absurdity of the mundane.

Liner note (also on last page):
 

Quote

 

I had been composing for about four hours without a pause. Ideas came to a wall, and I had nowhere to 
continue. So, I went for a walk — to the store. I bought a Pilsner and a sandwich, seeing as I hadn’t eaten all 
day. On my way home, I thought about these paintings some presumably young artists were hired to make in
front of the shop. They had lost a lot of paint since I had last seen them. This made me think of ephemeral art,
and conclude that this was probably not meant as such. Therefore, I think of it as contingent ephemeral art.
An ambulance drove by while I was walking home, and soon I felt the cold on my face. I often get a burning
sensation in my nose when I’m in extreme cold (-20–30 °C). That, and the pressure of the cold on my face,
made me await the moment I’d enter back into the hallway of the apartment. But once I did, the cold didn’t
leave my face, but stayed there. After a sip of the Pilsner, I ended up here. 

Dated January 10th, 2026, around 9 p.m., in Oulu,
Pyry Iisakki Paavola

 

Hi @PaavolaPyry!

I love this minimalistic piece. It sounds really reflective and full of emotion despite using only very few materials. Maybe I won't change the key signature in the middle section but that's my personal preference. Thx for sharing!

Henry

2 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Hi @PaavolaPyry!

I love this minimalistic piece. It sounds really reflective and full of emotion despite using only very few materials. Maybe I won't change the key signature in the middle section but that's my personal preference. Thx for sharing!

Henry

 

Hi Henry and thanks for the kind words! I definitely tried to get a lot from very little, I've been doing that a lot lately.

I did also think about the key sig. change... Do you think I should keep it as is and why so?

-P

1 hour ago, PaavolaPyry said:

did also think about the key sig. change... Do you think I should keep it as is and why so?

I think keeping it is ok, though not necessary because only the cello and later viola would need the accidentals!