The purpose of this study is to examine Kaija Saariaho's song cycle Quatre Instants for soprano and piano and to present a possible interpretation of it. I have made an analysis of the song cycle, which focuses mainly on the relation between the song text and the piano part. This has led to forming a detailed interpretation of the song cycle. The study contains also Saariaho's biography in order to support the analysis with background information. Both the background information and the analysis have immensely influenced upon my interpretation of the song cycle. / <p>The sounding part of the work consists of the following recording: ljud. The Corona virus situation spring semester 2020 has caused limitations in the recording possibilities. The recording is archived and may be supplemented. </p>