Dave Finlayson has posted recently on his new blog about Gilbert Kaplan, who recently conducted Mahler's 2nd with NYPO.
I'm not familiar with Kaplan's conducting but I've had to endure too many podium frauds over the years.
Here's the link.
Here's my own cynical rule about conductors
Of every 1000 conductors, 900 are completely useless.
The ensemble would sound better if they walked away.
Of the remaining 100, 90 are mediocre at best.
At least they don't do serious damage and will be bailed out by most ensembles.
Of the remaining 10, 9 are good at their jobs.
They actually make the group sound better.
That last one is excellent.
A pleasure and an inspiration.
So, in your next rehearsal, ask yourself, "What about this one? In the 900, the 90, the 9, or the one."
Realize, you may go your whole life and never have the chance to work with "the one."
My Christmas wish: that you get to work with "the one" in a good orchestra.
