The composer Gustav Mahler was born the son of a poor itinerant Jewish salesman in a tiny village in what is now the Czech Republic. His astonishing and influential career as a conductor and director of opera, including ten years as musical director of the Vienna Opera, would have singled him out as someone special. However his 9 symphonies and other orchestral works are now seen as his greatest contribution to music. The program tells of his life and development and is followed by an overview of his compositions.