tˈoʊvi dᵻskɹˈaɪbd ðɪ ˌoʊvɚɹˈɔːl stɹˈʌktʃɚɹ æz "pˈɑːsᵻbli ʃˈuːmənz ɡɹˈeɪɾɪst ænd mˈoʊst mˈæstɚli kənsˈɛpʃən".
Tovey described the overall structure as "possibly Schumann's greatest and most masterly conception".