In celebration of Hans Zender"s seventieth birthday, Hänssler Classic presents a special portrait of the famous conductor, composer, and musical philosopher. Zender stands as one of the great musical minds of the twentieth century--a masterful interpreter of highly complex contemporary scores as well as the monuments of the German Romantic tradition. Zender has always had a very special connection to the works of Robert Schumann, whose Phantasie, Op. 17 inspired his homage for large orchestra. He also has a fascination with the mystical traditions of the East, and Bardo I is inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead.