Russia is one of the few remaining countries where a bear can still make a decent living. Government regulations concerning these performing animals are full of loopholes and a determined bear can support himself and his family in a style that most bears don't mind at all. A bear's day at the circus is long, and his mastery of performing skills is constantly being put to the test. By the end of the work day, the bears are exhausted and they return through the forest to a clearing in the woods where they live with their families. Odd as it may seem, bears in general, but particularly performing bears, take great pleasure in dancing, especially after a long day at work and to a musical selection of their own choice and not that of the circus masters'. As the evening wears on, the bears play a scratchy old recording of a song called "Divertissements for Performing Bears" on an old hand-cranked victrola and dance away the cares and worries of the day. We were lucky enough to get hold of a recording of this song and made this arrangement of the piece.

You can listen to our version of Divertissements for Performing Bears.

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