Trepak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trepak is a musical term referring to a Russian form of dance song built on a quick duple meter.[1] The Cossacks were the inventors of this musical form. In most English usage, "Trepak" (capitalized) refers to a short piece from Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker; it is one of several consecutive ethnic dances in the ballet. It also goes under the name "Russian Dance" (the other ethnic dances of the ballet also have dual names, e.g. "Tea" is also "Chinese Dance").
Probably the most distinguished and celebrated dance in Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker, Trepak is arguably the most popular dance of the ballet, as well as the whole Christmas holiday. It is an excellent example of the composer's work, thick with his common Russian style. With its unforgettable melody and impressively manic pace, the dance is used in much Christmas-themed entertainment today.
[edit] Description of Tchaikovsky's Trepak
Tchaikovsky's "Trepak" is written in AABA form. It is played in a presto tempo. It has a time signature of 2/4 and is in the key of G Major.
