'Resurrection' Symphony: Gilbert Kaplan (1987)

[Conchis]

I picked this up today in a charity shop for 99p.

Was I done?

Amazon reviews are largely positive but I've read some carping criticism elsewhere: most objections seem to centre around Mr. Kaplan's having 'bought' his orchestra (I believe he has since re-recorded it with the VPO). Millionaire publishers, runs the argument, have no business pretending to be conductors. But if all Wall Street tycoons loved Mahler, surely the world would be a better place?

I've just listened to the first movement: on this evidence, I'd say the performance was competent but somewhat tentative. What does everyone else (who's heard it) think?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Isn't that with the LSO on Pickwick? I bought it when it came out - same response as yours; a competent read through, but unexceptional. Played it a couple of times - it gathered dust for a few years - then I sold it on. Haven't missed it, but, at 99p, I don't think you've been "done".

[Richard Tarleton]

Haven't heard it but I remember he was a guest on Private Passions in 1998 and was - fascinating, with strong views. Can't remember much detail but his choices were Aaron Copland, Ives, Mahler, Mahler, Mahler, Mahler, Prokofiev, Wagner....One of the Mahlers was the slow movement of 6.

[Conchis]

Isn't that with the LSO on Pickwick? I bought it when it came out - same response as yours; a competent read through, but unexceptional. Played it a couple of times - it gathered dust for a few years - then I sold it on. Haven't missed it, but, at 99p, I don't think you've been "done".

Yes, that's the one.

[Petrushka]

Crikey, I haven't heard this for a very long time! I've got both this and the VPO recording and of the two I prefer the LSO. The soloists are definitely better in the LSO recording. In fact, of the two I'd go for the LSO. It's not actually bad at all and any version which gives the organ and bells their head in the final moments as this one does, gets my vote.

There are a good many recordings of the Resurrection that fall shorter than this one so I don't think you can complain. If it's the original 1987 set that you have then the documentation that is included is worth more than 99p.

On the other hand, for an experience you'll never forget, buy the LPO/Tennstedt on the LPO label. I was in the hall for that 1989 performance and unforgettable doesn't even begin to describe it. One of the greatest concert hall experiences of my life.

[Dave2002]

Crikey, I haven't heard this for a very long time! I've got both this and the VPO recording and of the two I prefer the LSO. The soloists are definitely better in the LSO recording. In fact, of the two I'd go for the LSO. It's not actually bad at all and any version which gives the organ and bells their head in the final moments as this one does, gets my vote.

There are a good many recordings of the Resurrection that fall shorter than this one so I don't think you can complain. If it's the original 1987 set that you have then the documentation that is included is worth more than 99p.

On the other hand, for an experience you'll never forget, buy the LPO/Tennstedt on the LPO label. I was in the hall for that 1989 performance and unforgettable doesn't even begin to describe it. One of the greatest concert hall experiences of my life.

Overall I'd agree with this. Both Klemperer and Rattle made good recordings, but Kaplan is perfectly reasonable, and at 99p definitely not a bad thing.

I agree about the live Tennstedt recording - absolutely amazing, though as I recall it's in a different league from his own studio recording(s).

[umslopogaas]

There's only one recording of this for me, and that's Solti and the LSO on Decca, LP SET 325-6. The first proper grown up recording I ever bought, and still amazing (not the one I bought in 1968, that was wrecked on my parent's Dansette gramophone), but I have another fairly good copy. Wonderful stuff.

I dont want to sound sniffy about Kaplan, but wouldnt the orchestra have been able to turn in a decent performance of this work, whoever was waving their arms about? They must know it well enough to deliver it in good form, whoever was conducting?

[richardfinegold]

There's only one recording of this for me, and that's Solti and the LSO on Decca, LP SET 325-6. The first proper grown up recording I ever bought, and still amazing (not the one I bought in 1968, that was wrecked on my parent's Dansette gramophone), but I have another fairly good copy. Wonderful stuff.

I dont want to sound sniffy about Kaplan, but wouldnt the orchestra have been able to turn in a decent performance of this work, whoever was waving their arms about? They must know it well enough to deliver it in good form, whoever was conducting?

It's been years since I heard this. I remember thinking it sounded generically good without in any way being exceptional, and that the hype around it was out of proportion to any merits it may have.

[Conchis]

I've now had my first listen.

I'm in agreement with the other listeners on this thread: Kaplan's lack of a strong (or any) distinct musical personality makes for a very 'flat' reading of the score (not as negative as it sounds): it's almost as if he effaces himself from the proceedings. So, what we hear is 'the score' without any interpretative 'spin' placed on it. Nothing wrong with that - but you do wonder, as someone above said, how much attention the orchestra paid to the (paying) conductor.

This CD (it's the original issue) seems to have very 'quiet' mastering: it's not often I've had to turn the volume up on the other versions I have.

[Beef Oven!]

I bought it when it came out because it was about £11 and all the others were £23 - £32 (the height of classical CD prices). I found it routine and it did not grip me at all. The best of it is the singing, which is quite good. Within a short while I added Sir Dennis' version, which is my go to M2 to this day. Sinopoli is my other fave.

[Lordgeous]

I heard Kaplan conduct it live (at the RAH I think) but its a distant memory now. I believe its the only piece he ever conducted, and he owns the Ms score. I worked with a Ullean pipe player once who claimed to have arranged it for U Pipes!

[Petrushka]

I heard Kaplan conduct it live (at the RAH I think) but its a distant memory now. I believe its the only piece he ever conducted, and he owns the Ms score. I worked with a Ullean pipe player once who claimed to have arranged it for U Pipes!

Yes, I heard Kaplan perform it live as well (Symphony Hall, Birmingham) and it's a distant memory for me too. I can't even remember the orchestra involved, nor soloists, nor, unusually for me, the date. Kaplan attended the Concertgebouw/Bernstein Mahler 9 at the Barbican in 1985 (as did Haitink) and I was with them all backstage after the concert. Two of the greatest Mahler conductors of all time together in the same hall! What amazing times they were!

[Dave2002]

I bought it when it came out because it was about £11 and all the others were £23 - £32 (the height of classical CD prices). I found it routine and it did not grip me at all. The best of it is the singing, which is quite good. Within a short while I added Sir Dennis' version, which is my go to M2 to this day. Sinopoli is my other fave.

Trying to throw us off the scent, eh! Don't you mean "Sir Denis"?

I've not played his version for some time. Klemperer's EMI version is still worth a listen, and I think the recording is good enough.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I believe its the only piece he ever conducted, and he owns the Ms score.

He's also recorded the Adagietto from the 5th Symph:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000000TRM

I worked with a Ullean pipe player once who claimed to have arranged it for U Pipes!

I ... I ... ooh ... well ... I ...

[Petrushka]

Kaplan also edited The Mahler Album a fascinating book bringing together every known photograph of Mahler as well as much else besides. Indispensable for all Mahlerians.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahler-Album-Gilbert-Kaplan/dp/0810998335/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442742851&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mahler+album