 Abraham Kaplan |
Hailed by Leonard Bernstein as "a heaven-sent maestro," Abraham Kaplan is considered by many to be the greatest choral conductor of his generation and one of the most dynamic performers on the world stage today. His contribution to the world of classical music includes numerous acclaimed choral and symphonic compositions, world premiere performances of well-known 20th century pieces, and instruction to many of today’s symphony and choral conductors.
During his tenure as Director of Choral Studies at Juilliard School of Music during the 1960’s and 1970’s, Kaplan simultaneously held a teaching position at the School of Sacred Music of Union Theological Seminary and directed the choral program for the New York State Summer School of the Arts (1976-83), was Musical Director of the Collegiate Chorale in New York (1961-73), and music director of the Symphonic Choral Society of New York (1968-77). He later moved to Seattle, Washington, where he was Director of Choral Studies at the University of Washington (1977-2004), and Associate Conductor to Gerard Schwartz at the Seattle Symphony (1995-2000).
Kaplan's college textbook, Choral Conducting, was published by W.W. Norton in 1985, and is still the most widely used college textbook on the subject.
Today, Kaplan splits his time between Tel Aviv, London, New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, concentrating on his composition work, guest appearances, and most importantly to him, his family.
 Kaplan with Igor Stravinski |
THE CONDUCTOR
Kaplan's dynamic orchestra and choral guest conducting appearances include performances with the NBC Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, the Calgary Symphony Orchestra, the Little Symphony of St. Louis, the LENA Orchestra of New York, the Park East Orchestra, the Long Island Orchestra Da Camera, and the Kol Israel Orchestra. His musical sensitivity and mastery of chorus and orchestra deliver nothing short of "Choral Splendor" according to one New York Times critic.
 Kaplan with Leonard Bernstein |
THE COMPOSER
Kaplan’s own recorded compositions have been featured on CBS Television artistic programs, on regular broadcasts of the Crystal Cathedral’s Hour of Power program, and on the award-winning Karl Haas Adventures in Music radio program, among others. His instrumental arrangements of other composers’ works have been used pervasively in the industry, with over 100 published pieces in regular circulation Dr. Robert Schuller, calling Kaplan "one of the great composers of the 20th century," commissioned the maestro to write the inaugural body of music for the opening of the Crystal Cathedral in the early 1980's.
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