The Last Impresario: The Life, Times, and Legacy of Sol Hurok (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The day Sol Hurok died he had lunched with Andres Segovia, met with Rudolf Nureyev and was on his way to see David Rockefeller when he collapsed of a heart attack. Hurok (1888-1974), who was born in an obscure Ukrainian village, traveled a long way to become probably the greatest impresario ever, a promoter of world-class ballet, performing companies, opera stars and musicians for some 50 years. Robinson's ( Sergei Prokofiev ) highly entertaining, fair-minded and closely researched biography is infinitely superior to the "authorized" studies of Hurok (even a movie) that were products of his publicity machine. For as Robinson shows, Hurok was as much a creation designed to dazzle the crowds as were the stars, who ranged from Pavlova and Chaliapin in the early years to Isaac Stern, Van Cliburn and the Moiseyev Dance Company later, all of whom he proudly offered under his "Sol Hurok Presents" rubric. Cunning, evasive, vain and often bullying, he had a star's temperament without the talent, and many thought he was a follower rather than a leader of popular artistic taste. He nevertheless was instrumental in building an American audience for ballet, promoted opera stars and concert musicians into celebrities and kept doors open between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. even in the darkest days of the Cold War. Robinson's book, aided by the impresario's only (much neglected) daughter, Ruth Hurok Lief, is full of good stories and is in itself a potted history of the arts in the U.S. during its subject's lifetime. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Hurok's death, this is the first biography of a remarkable figure in modern American cultural history. From a humble beginning in Ukraine, Hurok rose to become a dominant force in the entertainment business. Among the attractions appearing under the banner "S. Hurok Presents" were dancer Rudolf Nureyev, pianist Arthur Rubinstein, opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin, and dance companies such as the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballets. Hurok played a pioneering role in bringing many of the Soviet Union's stellar performers to U.S. audiences (and vice versa) during the Cold War. Thoroughly researched and documented, this biography attempts to establish the facts of Hurok's extraordinary life and career as they happened, not as the subject wished them portrayed (Hurok's highly fictionalized Impresario: A Memoir by S. Hurok was ghostwritten by his agent). This interesting and clearly written account of a show business legend is recommended for entertainment collections.
- Carolyn M. Mulac, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140116206
• ISBN-13: 978-0140116205
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,213,982 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Hurok and British Pomp and Ceremony, March 23, 2000

By	Roger Kennedy - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I found it disappointing that a bio on Hurok did not contain more about one of Sol's most interesting contributions. In the early 1950s Sol Hurok went to the Edinburgh International festival where he saw the world famous Edinburgh Military tattoo. In this martial spectacle is a parade of scottish regimental bands and massed pipes and drums along with other British army bands. With Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop to the show, Hurok was duely impressed. With an eye for spectacles and for showcasing new and different kinds of talent, Hurok wondered how such a show would fair in the US. He decided to take a chance, and in the fall of 1955 booked a coast to coast USA tour of the regimental band and massed pipes and drum of the Scots Guards. Everyone thought it was "Hurok's Folly" that a bagpipe based show would never go in 1950s America. But Hurok had a sixth sense for knowing what audiences might like and he gambled his reputation on the venture. To everyone's amazement the show was a big hit. Across the country the Scots Guards were hailed as the goodwill ambassadors of Britian. Audiences thrilled to the martial music, the massed pipes and drums, the authentic Highland Dancing, and the intricate marching and counter marching. Nothing like this had been seen in north America before and people loved it. Sol Hurok had established the British regimental band tour, and each year after he brought over several British bands on tour. The Scots Guards returned, and in subsequent years the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and Coldstream Guards, among others, were brought on tour, each recieving great Appluase. Hurok established a tradition that continues to this day, Yet, this is scarcely mentioned in this bio of him. Although perhaps not as well known as his opera and ballet shows, still I believe this venture, which was so typical of Hurok's style and judegment, should have received better coverage in this book. It is unfortunate that it did not. Still, this is a worthy bio of the man who deserves a lot of credit for artisitic development in this country.