Guide Note

Conductor Benjamin Zander is the musical director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra with which, he has recorded several acclaimed interpretations of Gustav Mahler's compositions.

Zander is perhaps better known for his lectures on leadership. He has been a keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum on four occasions, and he was given the "Caring Citizen of the Humanities" Award in 2002 by the International Council for Caring Communities. Zander was a featured speaker at TED 2008.

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 9, 1939
2. Origin: Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England
3. Active: 1953 - Present
4. Occupation: Conductor
5. Plays the cello
6. 1964: Graduated University of London
7. Postgraduate work at Harvard University
8. 1967: Join New England Conservatory
9. 1979: Became director of Boston Philharmonic Orchestra
10. Lives in Boston, Massachusetts

In 2004, German Record Critic's Award Association gave Zander's recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 3 the Critic's Choice Award. Zander's recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 was nominated for a Grammy Award. Leeds Metropolitan University awarded Zander with an Honorary Doctorate on July 19, 2006.