• Year of composition: 1940s, the work was interrupted when Fernström had orchestrated mov. 5.
• Work category: Ballet / Dance music, one act
• First performed: 20 May 1998 at the Gothenburg Opera. The Swedish National Ballet Scool, Gothenburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Finn Rosengren
• Arrangement/revision: Mov. 4-14 are orchestrated, following the sketches of the composer, by Hans Söderberg for the premiere performance in 1998
• Duration: 45 min
• Detailed duration: 45-50 min

Instrumentation

2*.2*.2*.2 / 2.2.1.1 / timp, 2 perc, xyl/mar, hp, cel, pno / str
(picc, cor angl, bass clar)

Location for score and part material

Svensk Musik

• Location autograph: Svensk Musik (STIM)
• Possible call no. and autograph comment: Original orchestration of mov. 4 and 5 at Lund University Library.

Literature

Kleen, Tyra: Ni-Si-Pleng. En historia om svarta barn, berättad och ritad för vita barn (J. A. Lindblads förlag, Uppsala, 1924)

Description of work

First tableau
1. Prelude and Entrance dance
Prelude: Andantino 4/4
Entrance dance Moderato grazioso 3/4
2. Oriental festival music: Allegro 3/4
3. Dance of the holy bird: Allegro moderato 3/4 varied with 4/4
4. Pantomime: crotchet = 76 4/4
Thereafter no. 2 Oriental festival music (from Suite no. 1)
5. Ni-Si-Plengs sortie: crotchet = 104 4/4
Second tableau
6. Butterfly dance: Allegro 4/4
7. Ape dance: Allegro 4/4
8. Snake dance and Pantomime: Moderato 4/4
9. Sword dance: Tempo di bolero 2/4 varied with 3/4
10. Pantomime: Andante 4/4
Third tableau
11. Introduction: Moderato 4/4
12. Devil’s dance: crotchet = 132 4/4
13. Worm dance: crotchet = 104 3/4
14. Ni-Si-Pleng’s victory dance: crotchet = 50 stringendo poco a poco 2/4
15. Finale: Moderato 4/4