Gilbert Kaplan and the latest Mahler 2

Posted by: David Sutton on 17 November 2003

I was fortunate enough to recently attend the Royal Festival Hall for the launch of the latest "official" version of Mahler's 2nd symphony played by the Philharmonia and conducted by Gilbert Kaplan. It was a great night with a most memorable performance.

I later bought the CD with Kaplan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic with the "official" version. Again, it is a sensational recording. I was wondering what other views forum members may have. My ratings of other recordings I own have been:-

1) Solti
2) Chailly
3) Rattle
4) Klemperer
5) Kaplan (old version)
6) Tennstedt

For those who may not have been following Mr Kaplan's works with Mahler, the claim to the "official" version is a consequence of the research he has undertaken with the original manuscripts.

Any other views??

Posted on: 17 November 2003 by herm

Well, I'm kind of in two minds about this.

It's wonderful for Mr Kaplan and fans of the Resurrection that he gets to put his all into this symphony.

It makes one rather uncomfortable to think that a man who has no conducting skills can record such an excellent performance. Does this mean career conductors spread themselves too thinly? What's going on here?

Lastly, but for me most importantly. What's wrong with Mr Kaplan's brain? The 2nd Symphony is pretty much the worst piece Mahler ever published. It's so crude I could imagine Deep Purple doing it with similar success. And this is what he devotes his life to, rather than to better music?

In your list I would start at 4

Herman

Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Wolf

I don't know Kaplan's work. However, I am reading a book on Alma Mahler and found out that Bruno Walter was a good friend of Mahler and was instrumental at geting his works into the major repetory and which Bernstein took up the cause. If you want to go authentic, consider Walter's recordings as close to authentic as possible.

glenn

Life is analogue

Posted on: 17 November 2003 by David Sutton

Thanks Herm.

I am sorry you feel that way about the Resurrection Symphony. You must forgive me if I dont agree.

As for Mr Kaplan's conducting skills, I am not qualified to comment, except to say that I have enjoyed his concert and the recording he has made of himself conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. If the M2 is his only conducting adventure and the result is pleasing, what is wrong with that?

From what I understand, Mr Kaplan is a person with sufficient wealth to hire an orchestra and undertake this type of exercise for fun. He has also invested his time and money into research into his favoured music. My only concern is the concept that his is the "official" version and I was wondering how this allegation sat with others.

As for the Bruno Walter recordings, I have not heard them yet, but will look out for them on my next trip to the UK.

Thanks for that.

David