“It’s a shame Schubert didn’t learn as much as I did; with his extraordinary talent, he could have become a true master.” This strikingly self-assured remark has been attributed to Franz Lachner, a Swabian composer who held himself in high regard when compared to his Viennese contemporary, Franz Schubert. Listening to Lachner’s substantial body of work – particularly his eight symphonies – reveals a powerful creative force quite distinct from his six-year-older friend. Lachner began his career influenced by Carl Maria von Weber, was deeply familiar with Beethoven, and quickly emerged as a “missing link” between these predecessors and younger composers such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, Raff, and even Bruckner. He mastered large-scale forms, grand gestures, and the orchestral medium while also being a melodist of the highest order. His originality ensures that the listener’s enjoyment of his music never wanes. Following recordings of the third and sixth symphonies, this new release offers further proof of Lachner’s brilliance – a resounding quod erat demonstrandum.