La creation du monde is a 20-minute ballet for small orchestra composed in 1923, which outlines the Creation of the world, based on African folk mythology. Influences in the music come from blues and ragtime, particularly in the melodies, and African rhythms. The ballet is in six continuous dance scenes, as follows:
1) Overture
2) The Chaos before Creation
3) The slowly lifting darkness, the creation of trees, plants insects, birds and beasts
4) Man and woman created
5) The desire of man and woman
6) The closing section (Coda), the man and woman kiss
The first section features a legato saxophone. The second is a jazz fugue played by double bass, trombone, saxophone and trumpet. The third section returns to the opening melody, played by flute
1) Overture
2) The Chaos before Creation
3) The slowly lifting darkness, the creation of trees, plants insects, birds and beasts
4) Man and woman created
5) The desire of man and woman
6) The closing section (Coda), the man and woman kiss
The first section features a legato saxophone. The second is a jazz fugue played by double bass, trombone, saxophone and trumpet. The third section returns to the opening melody, played by flute