Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since itsformation in 1978, was composing at the age of nine, and by twelve years of age he was studying under Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst. At the age of fifteen, he went to Florence to study with the great Spanish cellist Gaspar Cassado. After completing a Degree at London University, he went to America on a Harkness Fellowship and has made his home in Boston ever since.

He travels extensively as guest conductor, and since 1995 has been working regularly with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. Their series of Mahler Symphonies have received extraordinary critical acclaim, and in the Autumn of 1998 they began to record a cycle of the complete Beethoven Symphonies.

He divides his time between conducting and teaching at the New England Conservatory in Boston. His class on interpretation attracts students from all over the world.