Moscow, 1941 was commissioned by the Perry Hall Middle School Band and funded by the PTA. Directors Nwil Fishler and Kelly Clavell asked that the piece be dedicated to Larry Bondar, a music teacher who has been affecting the lives of students for over 40 years, and an icon in the Baltimore area. Mr. Bondar is of Russian descent, so it seemed fitting that the commission be based on one of Russia's most famous songs, Meadowlands.
This song identifies with an extremely important moment in history during the Second World War, in which the Red Army, against all odds, successfully defended Moscow against the German invasion. In October 1941, German troops were only 15 miles outside of Moscow, an unfavorable situation for the Soviet Union. Two million people had evacuated Moscow, but Joseph Stalin stayed to rally morale. In November, the Germans launched a new attack on Moscow. The Soviet Army held their ground and brought the Germans to a halt. Stalin insisted on a counterattack; and although his commanders had doubts, they launched their own offensive on December 4. The Germans, caught off guard and demoralized by the recent defeat, were pushed back and began retreating. By January, they had been pushed back nearly 200 miles.