Figure 1.-- Herewe see a Russia boy during the Soviet era praticing his instrument, we thin a chello. The snapshot is undate, but we would guess was taken in the 1950s. Like most boys learing instruments at the time, he priobably went to a music school in the afternoon after his regular school classes.

During the Tsarist era we believe that children learned musical instuments primarily through private tuition. Some children may have been taught at home by their parents. The Soviet system of musical education, still existing in Russia almost without any change, is rather simple. There are three grades of musical education -- music school, music college and then a conservatory. Music schools were not (and are not) free, but rather cheap - usually less than $10 per month. Children attend lessons (4-7 per week) in such a schools after a normal school. Private lessons were not so widespread in Soviet times. What we are less sure about if the achievements of Sovit music compared to that of Tsarist times. The Soviets gave considerable attention to music and there is a long list of Soviet composers. None seem to have the same stature as the great Tsarist composers. We would be interested in tge assessment of HBC readers who are more knowledgeable about music. Boys practicing their instruments generally dressed informally. They sometimes, however, dressed up to have their photograph taken. Many boys studying musical instuments never play in a band or orchestra and thus never had performance costumes. Most will, however, paricipate in recitals. Mothers once insisted that boys wear their very best suits for these recitals. A wide variety of uniforms were selected, some were more popular than others. The outfits boys often show a desire by the orchestra director to present a rather stylish image.

Chronology

Tsarist era

During the Tsarist era we believe that children learned musical instuments primarily through private tuition. Some children may have been taught at home by their parents. Economic factors prevented many children from developing their takents, this included serf children nd later working ckass children. Russia was, however, at the forefront of the European musical tradition. Some of tghe greatest compsers were The Five, also known as "The Mighty Handful", including Mily Balakirev (1837–1910), Alexander Borodin (1833–1887), César Cui (1835–1918), Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881), and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908). Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) is perhaps the best known Russian composer.

Soviet era

The Soviet system of musical education, still existing in Russia almost without any change, is rather simple. There are three grades of musical education -- music school, music college and then a conservatory. Music schools were not (and are not) free, but rather cheap - usually less than $10 per month. Children attend lessons (4-7 per week) in such a schools after a normal school. Private lessons were not so widespread in Soviet times. We think that some teachers gave private lessons as long as it did not attract a lot of attention. All free enterprise of course was totally forbidden and was considered as a crime. Every adult citizen was required to work at a government job until official retirement. Unemployment for adult and healthy people was also a crime - the so called "social parasitism". If some teacher wished to give private lessons, he or she had to be registered in financial department as an official private teacher (in Russian - "repetitor"). Otherwise this teacher could even be punished with a fine or the so called "social works" sentence from 6 months to 1 year long. A Russian reader writes, "In theory, this system was rather good - if you wish to give private lessons, just register and work. But the department could freely decline your request of the registration without any explanations. Without a registration citizen was obliged to employ in some state organization - or to be punished as a "social parasite" living on the "non-labour incomes". Often Soviet authorities used this law against writers, scientists, musicians and other people who attracted their attention. This of course affected the quality of Soviets arts and sciernce. There were schools for the very gifted. After graduation of music school children could take exams to the music college, and after -- to the conservatory. We have no idea how many children learned musical instruments. Given the low cost of music schools, the number of children learm\ning musical instruments must have increased during Soviet times. What we are less sure about if the achievements of Sovit music compared to that of Tsarist times. The Soviets gave considerable attention to music and there is a long list of Soviet composers. None seem to have the same stature as the great Tsarist composers. We would be interested in tge assessment of HBC readers who are more knowledgeable about music.

Modern Russia

Music schools continue in modern Russia. Private tuition has become more important. Certainly private lessons are more expensive than ones in music school. A Russia reader tells us that there have been very few chnges.

Specific Instruments

We notice Russian children playing both European and traditional Russian musical instruments. European instruments seem to have appeared in Russia primarily during the reign of Tsar Peter the Great (18th century). One of the most popular musical instruments is the violin. This is in part a economomic matter. Many families could afford a violin, but a piano is a very different matter. Only well-to-do families could afford a piano. And unless the instrument is in the home, practicing the instrument is very difficult. Brass and wind instruments like the clarinet seem less popular in Russia than America. There are also trafitional instruments which were common in the 19th century. The gusli s one of the oldest known Russian musical instruments. The Greek historians describe the instrument. Both Theofilact and Theophan mention the gusli. Apparently Greeks soldiers arriors took Slavonic prisoners and among thgem found a gusli (6th century). The balalaika is probably the best known traditional Russian instrument. It is a stringed instrument with a destinctive triangular body. It is a family of instruments, rather like the violin which comes in many different sizes and tonal characteristics. The instrument is noted (17th century, but may have earlier origins. We believe that the focus of instrumental music during the 20th century was on European instruments and away from traditional instruments.

Clothing Trends

Boys practicing their instruments generally dressed informally. They sometimes, however, dressed up to have their photograph taken. Many boys studying musical instuments never play in a band or orchestra and thus never had performance costumes. Most will, however, paricipate in recitals. Mothers once insisted that boys wear their very best suits for these recitals. A wide variety of uniforms were selected, some were more popular than others. The outfits boys often show a desire by the orchestra director to present a rather stylish image.

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Created: 7:23 AM 7/19/2010
Last updated: 8:11 PM 5/22/2011