Trepak (Russian: Трепак) (Ukrainian: Трoпак, Трiпак) refers to one of the most distinguished and celebrated dances in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. One of several consecutive ethnic dances in the ballet, it is based on the Ukrainian dance, Tropak.
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Historic basis
The Tropak (Ukrainian: Трoпак) was a dance which shared many musical and choreographic characteristics with the historic Hopak. Both developed as Kozak social dances, performed at celebratory occasions. For whatever reason, traditional Tropak choreography did not survive, but for a simple walk with a syncopated stamp, often done to a quick duple meter rhythm. The Tropak was one of the traditional instrumental dances played by blind itinerant musicians called kobzar on their banduras and kobzas.
The Nutcracker
As one of several consecutive ethnic dances in Tchaikovsky's ballet, The Nutcracker, the Trepak also goes under the name "Russian Dance" (the other ethnic dances of the ballet have dual names as well, e.g. "Tea" is also "Chinese Dance"). The Trepak is arguably the most popular dance of the ballet (although a case could be made for both the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the Flowers). It is an excellent example of the composer's work, flush with his common use of Russian and Ukrainian folk melodies. 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.
In popular culture
In the Disney film Fantasia, flowers take the place of the Cossack dancers, thistles resembling men in fur hats and roses as women with bonnets.
References
- (Ukrainian) Humeniuk, Andriy (1962). Ukrainian Folk Dances (Українські Hароднi Танцi), Academy of Sciences Ukrainian of the SSR.
- (Ukrainian) Humeniuk, Andriy (1963). Folk Choreographic Art of Ukraine (Hароднe Xореографiчнe Mиcтeцтвo України), Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.
