Customer Reviews

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

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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.