BUTTERFLY EFFECT is a piece for a cor anglais soloist with the accompaniment of symphonic winds, written for the Newbury Music Centre Senior Wind Band. This piece was inspired by the butterfly effect, which is closely associated with the work of mathematician Edward Lorenz, and comes from the title of his 1972 talk at the American Association for the Advancement of Science: “Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?”.
The butterfly effect is approached in many different ways within this work. The literal butterfly is represented with the cor Anglais which ‘flaps its wings’ at the start, leading to chaos towards the end - depicting the tornado being set off. However, the theory of the butterfly effect also has other implications, such as ‘how well can we predict the future’, and hence, ‘how much of the future is already pre-determined’. These ideas are also embedded in various places within the music.
Overall, BUTTERFLY EFFECT explores this phenomenon in various styles throughout the work, delving into both the metaphorical and literal aspects of such. The challenging, non-resolving harmony of the piece, mixed with the virtuosic cor anglais line which explores the rich depths of the fantastic instrument, enables this composition to take us on an allegorical journey of a butterfly that sets off a tornado.
BUTTERFLY EFFECT was commissioned by Ben Copeman and the Berkshire Music Trust Newbury Senior Wind Band, and had its premiere on the 13th of July at St. Bartholomew's School in Newbury.
Score and parts available upon request. Please use the 'Get in Touch' section below.