February 11, 2003

Profile of Gilbert E Kaplan, former economist, former magazine publisher and current orchestra conductor; Kaplan is unique in that he conducts only one work, Mahler's Second Symphony, and has done it with about 50 orchestras; photos (L)

Conservators at National Museum of Bargello in Florence restore Andrea del Verrocchio's sculpture of David and discover in process that curly haired head of Goliath resting between David's feet was not where Verrocchio had originally placed it; scholars now believe that Goliath's head was slightly behind figure of David and to left of his foot, and crammed it between his feet so sculpture could fit on small pedestal next to doorway of Sala dei Gigli in Palazzo Vecchio; discovery changes interpretation of 'David,' which is widely considered seminal example of Renaissance sculpture; photos (M)

New York Yankees newly acquired outfielder Hideki Matsui arrives at spring training facility early to work out under glare of media spotlight; photos (M)

Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, who runs London house known as N M Rothschild, is handing control of family's banking business to cousin Baron David de Rothschild, who runs French house Rothschild & Compagnie Banque; move has been expected for years, though official change of control may not happen for another six months to year, as family members negotiate structure that would allow for transfer of assets among holding companies; photo (M)

Hyundai Asan, responsible for tours from South Korea to Kumkang region of North Korea, says tourists will be able to go there on newly opened land route on Feb 21 (S)