“The subject of this symphonic poem is female seduction and the triumphant struggle of weakness over strength. The wheel is just a pretext, selected just from the point of view of rhythm and the general movement of the piece. People who are interested in such things will see Hercules straining under the shackles he cannot break, and Omphale mocking the hero’s hopeless efforts.”<br>
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(Camille Saint-Saëns in a note attached to the printed score)<br>
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“Le Rouet d’Omphale” (“Omphale’s Spinning-Wheel”) was initially conceived as a work for two pianos, and a version for piano solo was also published before Saint-Saëns orchestrated his “Scherzo” in March 1872. It was performed on 14 April by Jules Pasdeloup.<br>
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With his four symphonic poems, Camille Saint-Saëns placed himself firmly in the tradition of Hector Berlioz and Franz Liszt. The first critical editions offer an opportunity for new interpretations based on authoritative primary sources.<br>
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