Synopsis

In 1994, William F. Buckley, Jr., the conservative icon, received a letter from an eighteen-year-old aspiring pianist by the name of Lawrence Perelman, the son of Soviet Jewish immigrants. Buckleys response sparked a remarkable cross-generational friendship during which Perelman learned of the timeless elements of Buckleys character, and the central role of classical music in Buckleys American vision.Lawrence Perelman, an eighteen-year-old aspiring pianist and son of Soviet Jewish immigrants, wrote a letter to William F. Buckley, Jr., the conservative icon, in 1994. A remarkable cross-generational friendship was sparked by Buckleys response. During their friendship Perelman would go on to learn of the timeless elements of Buckleys character and the central role of classical music in Buckleys American vision. In 2025, the 100th anniversary of Buckleys birth, this book delves into some of Buckleys virtues which Perelman witnessed firsthand and argues that those virtues can transform the fabric of Americas character. Their friendship spanned from 1995 to February 27, 2008, the day Buckley passed away in his Connecticut home while Perelman practiced piano in a nearby room for a private recital that evening for Buckley and friends that would never happen. American Impresario is a portrait of Buckley, the impresario of the conservative movement, man of faith, Cold Warrior, bulwark against Anti-Semitism, Renaissance man, musician, and mentor to countless people who continue their work today. This book will inspire readers, both young and old, to emulate Buckleys virtues, including a return to civil discourse, anonymous philanthropy, faith, patriotism and fostering relationships between mentor and protg, as part of a goal to reweave the fabric of our nations character.

About The Author

Lawrence Perelman is founder & CEO of Semantix Creative Group, a strategic advisory firm specializing in business strategy, management and PR/Communications for a wide range of artists, institutions and companies in the performing arts. He has advised some of the greatest artists in the world, including conductor Gianandrea Noseda, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianist Martha Argerich, as well as the legendary Salzburg Festival for over two decades. He is also a co-founder & business strategy consultant at Carnegie Hall+, a performing arts streaming service. He is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota and studied to become a concert pianist. He attended Manhattan School of Music and graduated from Macalester College with a BA in Political Science and Music. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

This is a standard paperback/soft cover version.