Episode 8: February 18, 2010 Listen Now

What Is Great Music?

World-renowned Boston Philharmonic conductor Benjamin Zander has two great passions in life: classical music and leadership. What makes for great music? Why are pieces by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart listened to hundreds of years after they were first performed whereas others are popular for only a short period of time? Is classical music something that only the "connoisseur" can appreciate, or can anyone learn to enjoy it? We explore how Maestro Benjamin Zander explains to the audience how to appreciate classical music and specifically Mahler Symphony Number 9, which is to be performed in Cambridge and Boston on February 25th, 27th and 28th.

And then can we apply the principles of what makes for great orchestral music to what makes people perform at their best at any task? What is the job of the "conductor" of any organization and how does that "conductor" push people to go beyond what they even thought was possible let alone achievable? And can we motivate people to do their best work through believing in the possibility of what they could accomplish rather than the fear of losing to their competition?

Benjamin Zander, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor

Benjamin Zander has been the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since 1979. With the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Zander has released five critically acclaimed recordings of works by Stravinsky, Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich and Ravel. He guest conducts all over the world, often appearing with the Philhamonia Orchestra in London. Mr. Zander also recently made his debut with the Israel Philharmonic.

His recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 3 was awarded the 2004 Critic's Choice by the German Record Critic's Award Association. His recording of Mahler's 9th Symphony and his most recent release, Bruckner's 5th Symphony with the London Philharmonia have been nominated for Grammy Awards.

Mr. Zander also has an extensive career, lecturing to organizations on leadership. He has become recognized as one of the seminal teachers of the era. He has appeared four times as a keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was presented with the Crystal award for outstanding contributions in the Arts and international relations. His book The Art of Possibility, co-authored with his partner, psychotherapist Rosamund Zander, has been translated into seventeen languages.