Herbert Rafaele Kaplan

Herbert Rafaele Kaplan, 90, passed away on June 28, 2025 at the Golden Hill Rehab Facility. He was born in Cambridge, MA on April 30, 1935 to the late Jacob and Rhoda Joan Cohen Kaplan. Music was a part of Herberts' life from a young age and the desire to learn. That combination would build the foundation for a very successful career and life in the music industry. In 1970 he married Rae Anne Kleine and the loving relationship  they shared enriched their lives with laughter, experiences and memories before her passing in 2018. He is survived by his sister in law, Barbara Kleine Ruben; brother in laws, Arthur D. Ruben and Robert Carlisle; niece, Rachael Yamagata and nephews, Benjamin Yamagata, Joshua Ruben and Daniel Carlisle. He was predeceased by his brother, Elliot Irving Kaplan in 1992.

After touring for nearly 10 years with his brother as a two piano team, Herbert Kaplan attended Yale University School of Music and the Vienna Akademie. During that period he made numerous appearances as a soloist with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. He was assistant conductor to Robert Craft for the American premier of Alban Berg's LULU at Santa Fe Opera and a ground breaking production of THE RAKES'S PROGRESS, working under its composer, Igor Stravinsky. He has been the music director and/or arranger of countless musicals and the composer of four. As a pianist, music director, arranger and composer he had been employed by Sarah Caldwell's Boston Opera, The Williamstown Theater Festival, Berkshire Theater Festival, Capitol Repertory Company, Bell Telephone Hour, Washington Arena Stage, The New York Public Theater, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Turnau Opera and the Tyrone Guthrie Theater among many others. He toured extensively with the Broadway legends, Betty Comden and Adolph Green and has appeared on both AS THE WORLD TURNS and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the exceptional and professional staff at the Mountain Valley Manor Assisted Living and the Golden Hill Rehab Center and to a core of life-long friends who shared their love of art, travel and music with Herbert.

A private memorial service will be held at the family home at a later date.

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