Fresh Air, Benjamin Zander and Brenda Blethyn

By: Terry Gross

Narrated by: Terry Gross

Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Benjamin Zander and British actress Brenda Blethyn, on this edition of Fresh Air. Zander has been called "a Pied Piper" of classical music and "one of music's evangelists." His passionate performances have earned him quite a following. Through his teaching and his pre-concert discussions, he has tried to spread his love of classical music to a wider public. He has conducted the Boston Philharmonic for over 20 years. He leads thePhilharmonia Orchestra on a new CD Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (Telarc) and he has a new book, The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life (Harvard Business School Press). Blethyn co-stars in the TV mini series Anne Frank. It airs this Sunday and Monday on ABC. Her film, Saving Grace is out on video. The British comedy is about a middle-aged widow whose irresponsible husband left her in huge debt. She decides to start growing marijuana in her greenhouse instead of orchids. Blethyn's other films include Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies (she was nominated for an Oscar) and Little Voice. (Original Broadcast Dates: January 6, 2000 and August 14, 2000)Want more Fresh Air?

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this is a great episode

This is a good episode, covering Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Benjamin Zander and British actress Brenda Blethyn, on this edition of Fresh Air. Zander has been called "a Pied Piper" of classical music and "one of music's evangelists." His passionate performances have earned him quite a following. Through his teaching and his pre-concert discussions, he has tried to spread his love of classical music to a wider public.