199. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State0
3102. At Kremlin reception for Keita last night just as my wife and I were preparing to leave Furtseva1 asked why we did not invite Khrushchev to attend Goodman concert. I explained I had not done so as this would result in considerable publicity which I had assumed he would wish to avoid in this connection. She urged nevertheless that it would do no harm to ask him, which I did, explaining reason for not having done so earlier for which he expressed understanding and appreciation. He said he would come if Kremlin reception ended early enough. He turned up accompanied by his wife, Kozlov, Mikoyan and Kosygin and stayed for first half of concert. There being no private box at this theatre, row of seats on raised sector had been hastily cleared for Khrushchev party and he invited my wife and myself to join them there. Audience showed great interest in Khrushchevʼs reaction and he in theirs. Kozlov remarked on obvious audience recognition of various numbers and spontaneous applause as they were begun, somewhat in pride at its sophistication. With exception of Kosyginʼs wife, however, Presidium members had no understanding of jazz and K told me afterwards that he did not dance and did not understand jazz but admired skill of musicians. Change in attitude toward jazz during 5 years I have been here is remarkable and Kʼs presence last night will doubtless be great boon to jazz lovers here.
Significance of event is that despite their own lack of understanding and even dislike of jazz music, Soviet leadership has yielded to popular pressure, particularly of Soviet youth. This is probably most striking evidence that public opinion is beginning to play some role in Soviet affairs.
Adzhubei, who was in Kʼs party and attended my reception afterward, said he hoped President Kennedy would attend Bolshoi Ballet performance and that Kʼs presence was gesture toward President.