Institutional Investor magazine launched in 1967 as the brainchild of Gilbert Kaplan, an entrepreneur who later transitioned into a career as a dedicated, albeit unconventional, conductor. Beyond his publishing success, he spent decades obsessively focused on Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, an interest that evolved from private study into a series of over 100 public performances.
Business Career and Publishing
Born in 1941 at French Hospital in New York City, Kaplan pursued education at Duke University, The New School for Social Research, and the New York University School of Law. He entered the professional world in 1963 as an economist at the American Stock Exchange with a salary of $15,000. Four years later, he founded the financial publication Institutional Investor. He served as the magazine's publisher until 1990 and remained editor-in-chief for two additional years. In 1984, he sold the company for a reported, though undisclosed, sum rumored to be approximately $75 million.
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Take the IQ test →The Mahler Obsession
Kaplan's engagement with Mahler's Symphony No. 2 began in 1965. In 1981, he initiated formal conducting tutelage under Charles Zachary Bornstein. His public debut occurred in 1982 at a rented venue, leading the American Symphony and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Although the orchestra requested an embargo on reviews, Leighton Kerner of The Village Voice published a positive assessment. Over the remainder of his life, Kaplan conducted the symphony globally in over 100 live performances, famously refusing to accept a fee for these appearances.
Recordings and Scholarly Contributions
The Kaplan Foundation was established to promote the music of Gustav Mahler and support related scholarship. He recorded the Second Symphony twice, first with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1987 and later with the Vienna Philharmonic in 2002. He also served as co-editor for the new critical edition of the Second Symphony within the Complete Critical Edition of Mahler's works.
Public Reception and Later Years
While some critics praised the clarity and balance of his conducting, his appearances at major institutions, such as the 2008 New York Philharmonic performance, drew sharp criticism from professional musicians who questioned his technique and professional standing. Beyond his musical activities, Kaplan hosted the show Mad About Music on WNYC and WQXR for more than a decade until 2012. He also served as a trustee for WNYC and joined the Evening Division faculty at the Juilliard School in 2000. He died of cancer in 2016 at the age of 74 in his native New York City.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, New York City
- Died: 2016, New York City
- Education: Duke University, The New School for Social Research, New York University School of Law
- Founded: Institutional Investor, 1967
- Spouse: Lena Biörck
- Key Interest: Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2
- Faculty Position: Juilliard School, 2000
- Manuscript Auction Price: £4,546,250
Questions readers ask
Did Gilbert Kaplan conduct professionally?
He was an amateur conductor. While he performed more than 100 times, he never accepted a fee and faced significant criticism from professional orchestral musicians regarding his technique.
What happened to the Mahler manuscript he owned?
Kaplan owned the autograph manuscript of Mahler's Second Symphony, which was sold at auction on 29 November 2016 for £4,546,250.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Juilliard School
- Educated at Duke University
