Marsyas II

The satyr Marsyas who, according to Greek mythology, was the greatest musican of his time and was flayed by Apollo because of his ecstatic nature, is regarded by the composer Olga Neuwirth as embodiment of the quintessential artistic ideal. Her piano piece Marsyas of 2004, inspired by Anish Kapoor's sensational installation at London's Tate Modern, was followed by a sister work for quartet. It was premiered at the festival 'Spannungen' at the power plant of Heimbach in June 2005 and reflects the aspects of the ecstatic and sensual, of the foreign and brutal while changing the perspective like a sculpture.