BEHodge

This is both true and painful

Honestly, Russia has the (IMHO)best composers from about 1880 til at least 1950. We use an old English drinking song set to a great poem. Theirs is written by a master (Alexander Alexanderov). No Shostakovich or Prokofiov, but still came through that tradition.

Not always gestures - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7_6Z33eCaY

(a video I watched a number of times - always get a kick out of the expressions)

Just out of a musicians curiosity (and a MAD respect for Russian composers) could you either tell us (or message me)who your grandfather was? I'm a huge fan of Russian symphonic music from the time of the Great Five through the Era of Shostakovich.

I'm thinking plexiglass cage and microphone myself! Of course I don't deal with strings so the winds are right in my space; no protective barrier of bodies between me and the trombones.