Moscow 1941 Brian Balmages Analysis

Composed by Brian Balmages, ‘Moscow 1941’ is meant to describe the battle between the Russians and the Germans during World War II in Moscow. This piece contains a double duple meter pattern for the rhythm and some slight downbeats. The piece starts off with a grave tempo to represent the a gradual march that catches the audience in a trance of sorts. Gradually the crescendo builds and with accelerando, the audience feels as if they themselves are in the story being told. I have enjoyed this piece since I first had the opportunity to perform it in my middle school band. To this day, this powerful piece brings up emotions when I hear it performed. From the pianissimo in the introduction to the strong timber of percussion, this piece will pull