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We note Russian boy violin prodigy Vova Ustinovsky in the 1950s. This press photo was captioned. "Prodigy: Shown during a practice session is 5 year-old Vova Ustinovsky, son of a Russian metal worker, Vova woin such a reputation as a musician that the Soviet Ministry of Culture has placed him in the Leningrad Conservatory for further training." The photograph was taken in June 1955. The Soviet approsach to gifted childen is interesting. They provided opportunities for high quality education and training for children of modest families. The same was true of children with the potential to become balet dancers. They were educated in boarding schools. They were not, hoever, put under pressure such as American children who get involved in show business, some of whom become dependant on drugs. (The Soviet film and TV industry did not create child stars like Hollywood.) Some of these gifted musicians and dancers, however, as adults became disatisfied with the restrictions Soviet officials placed on their ability to perform without political contraints. A few defected to the West. Gifted atheletes were similarly treated. Authorities in East Germany and Romania dispensed drugs to enhance performances with adverse long term outcomes, especially for young girls. Many believe that Soviet officials also used drugs on young atheletes, but were better at it and did not get caught.
We note Russian boy violin prodigy Vova Ustinovsky in the 1950s. This press photo was captioned. "Prodigy: Shown during a practice session is 5 year-old Vova Ustinovsky, son of a Russian metal worker, Vova woin such a reputation as a musician that the Soviet Ministry of Culture has placed him in the Leningrad Conservatory for further training." The photograph was taken in June 1955. A Russian reader tells us, "As a very talanted kid he was taken to special music school in Leningrad. Soon his parents (simple metal workers from Caucasus, gypsies by nationality) were given a free apartments for living in Leningrad. Now Vladimir Ustinovsky is the first violinist of the band "Tsygansky Dvor" ("Gypsy Yard" in Russian)."
The contrasting Soviet and American appraches to gifted childen is interesting. The Soviets provided opportunities for high quality education for talented children. This is interesting in acountry weith an egalitaian ethos. The and training was acailable for children from even modest families. The same was true of children with the potential to become balet dancers. They were educated in boarding schools. They were not, however, put under pressure such as American children who get involved in show business, some in widely publicized incidents become dependant on drugs with tragic outcomes. (The Soviet film and TV industry did not create child stars like Hollywood.) Some of the gifted Soviet musicians and dancers, however, as adults became disatisfied with the restrictions Soviet officials placed on their ability to perform without political contraints. A few defected to the West. Gifted atheletes were similarly treated. Authorities in East Germany and Romania dispensed drugs to enhance performances with adverse long term outcomes, especially for young girls. Many believe that Soviet officials also used drugs on young atheletes, but were better at it and did not get caught. A oroblen in America is talented youngsters get accepted to universities without academic consideration (usually to play footbasll or basketball), but the university makes no real effort to educate them.
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