Amateur

Tuesday, 2nd December 2008

The Economist profiles Gilbert Kaplan, the Wall Street publisher who has turned himself into one of the world's leading authorities on Mahler's Resurrection Symphony. I saw him conduct the piece fifteen or so years ago. It sounded good to my non-expert ears, but one disgruntled broadsheet critic suggested that he should stick to "Three Blind Mice". Looks like the interloper has had the last word.

Mr Kaplan is acknowledged as the leading technical authority on Mahler’s second symphony, consulted by many professional maestros on matters of detail...That an unskilled dreamer could teach professionals how to bring off a masterpiece is a fantasy that many share but few presume to achieve. Mr Kaplan, after his first performance, said: “I had a feeling that people in the audience were urging me to fulfil my dream. They were up with me on the podium that night, playing baseball for the Yankees..."

I haven't been able to find any clips of him in concert, but this interview with Charlie Rose is rewarding. (It starts around the 18-minute mark. Norman Mailer is the guest after him, if you care to stick around.)