“The Ugly Duckling” was initially intended as music for a ballet based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same title. The story is about a swan born into a duck family. Being an outsider, he is expelled from the duck society, and travels out into the world. He goes through a series of obstacles and challenges trying to survive the harsh world, until he finds out that he is not just an ugly duckling, but in fact a very fine swan. As with most H.C. Andersen fairy tales, the story has many levels of meaning which makes them entertaining for both children and adults. Sonia Jacobsen’s aesthetic ideal is to do something similar in her music. She strives towards writing music that can be listened to on many different levels, from surface listening to in-depth analysis, regardless of the musical education of the listener. The imagery of a duck pen at war, a wounded duck limping away, the emotional ups and downs etc. are largely depicted musically, sometimes in a descriptive, almost Disney-esque way.