Zemlinsky was born in Vienna and taught Alma Mahler, whose husband gave him practical encouragement, and Schoenberg, who became his brother-in-law. Zemlinsky’s First Symphony, with its grandiose first movement, lively scherzo and lyrical final movement, is rooted firmly in the rich Viennese classical tradition and represents an excellent example of the late nineteenth century symphony. The Second Symphony was immediately well received by the public and is characterised by a strong sense of romantic grandeur, in which traces of Wagner and Mahler are combined with Zemlinsky’s own more elusive musical character to potent effect.