Benjamin Zander is a world renowned conductor and award winning interpreter of the music of Gustav Mahler. Zander has recorded Mahler with the orchestra he founded and conducts, the Boston Philharmonic.

This year, the Philharmonic turns 30 years old. This week, Ben Zander turns 70.

We asked him to come to our studio to talk about the music that was most formative in his childhood.

Zander grew up in Britain. And he spent much of his youth with luminaries of 20th century music.

It began with a little boy sitting at the piano.

There's a big party- followed by a concert he'll conduct featuring Mahler's 2nd at Symphony Hall in Boston.

Benjamin Zander

Boston Philharmonic

Audio: Ben Zander talks about the music that's shaped his life

Audio: cellist Gaspar Cassadó playing a Chopin Nocturne