A Saga or A Fairy Tale, Op. 9

En saga (English translation: A fairy tale or A saga) is a tone poem written by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in 1892. After hearing Sibelius's choral work Kullervo, the conductor Robert Kajanus encouraged Sibelius to compose a purely orchestral piece, which eventually transpired into this work. The evolution of this work is rather vague, although it is known that in 1890–1891 Sibelius had begun composing an octet for strings, flute, and clarinet. The octet evolved into a septet by September 1892, and had acquired the title Ballet Scene No. 2 by November of that year. However, a letter to Adolf Paul dated 10 December 1892 stated that Sibelius had finished "the orchestral piece En saga".