While composing the music for the drama Tove in winter 1907–08, Nielsen was developing ideas for an orchestral work inspired by Njal's Saga. The first tentative indication of its thematic material is therefore found in the composer's score for Tove. In March 1908, the music for Tove was completed, and on 1 April Nielsen end-dated the fair copy of Saga-drøm. He later included the piece in his music for the play Moderen. See more about this work at The Royal Library