The first in a series of tone poems for orchestra inspired by those of Franz Liszt, Le rouet de Omphale was composed in 1872 and named for the story in Greek mythology where Heracles was sentenced for a year to do women"s work, wear women"s clothing and hold a basket of wool as Omphale and her maids were spinning. The work become quite popular in the early 20th century after its use as a theme for The Shadow radio program. The score presented here is an authoritative newly engraved edition prepared by Richard W. Sargeant, Jr.