The Enchantment of Venus for Cello and Piano

‘The goddess Athena invents the Aulos and plays it at banquets of the gods.  Finding it distorts her features she discards it and pronounces a curse against whoever picks it up. The satyr Marsyas comes upon it and wins such esteem that the the lyre-playing Apollo is furious and challenges him to a duel. Despite his wonderful playing Marsyas is tricked and tragically condemned to the underworld; but he sets himself the task of creating an instrument of such range and beauty that he can re-challenge Apollo and triumph. He mounts the steps of Olympus, plays brillliantly and seductively and Venus is enchanted.’