"The Russian composers, especially, tricked the symphony orchestra into the kind of dynamic, rhythmic thing"

This quote by Gerry Mulligan is referring to the Russian authors of the 19th and also early 20th centuries, such as Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and also Stravinsky. Mulligan is commending the Russian authors for their capacity to make use of the chamber orchestra to create vibrant and balanced music. He is recommending that the Russian composers were able to make use of the chamber orchestra in a way that was not formerly done, which they were able to produce something new and also amazing. This quote is a testament to the creative thinking and technology of the Russian composers, and also their ability to push the limits of what was feasible with the chamber orchestra. It is a suggestion of the importance of the Russian authors in the background of symphonic music, and their long lasting influence on the category.