The word Galop has the usual significance in the most rapid pace of a horse and the word Gallopade referring to a similar movement in dancing, Gallopade is really the correct term. The term Galop came from the Waltz-like turning of the dance, which also has a version called a “Galop-waltz” in 3/4 time.
The origin of the Galop is Hungary (some say Germany). It was often danced after the Volte and the country dances (Contredanses) as a variant to the slow and solemn dances such as the Mazurka. Around 1815, the Galop began to be recognized socially. It first appeared in Vienna and Berlin about the year 1822, was introduced at the Balls given in France (L.G. Brookes says 1800) by the Duchess de Berry (1798-1870) during the Carnival of 1829 as well as England in that same year. It was rendered famous by its termination of the masked Balls at the French Opera.
The basic Galop has the lead moving forward and the follow backward, no turning in counter-clockwise fashion around the floor. Most Galops were written in 2/4 time and was basically a “Slide, Change, Slide — Slide, Change, Slide, etc.” But!, it is said that the steps resembled a “Valse à deux temps” (waltz.) The couple dance version is done in basic ballroom position and travels counter-clockwise (Line-of-dance) around the floor, Basically consists of a Glissade with one foot and a Chasse’, then alternate.This dance can be done as a group dance as well.
It has been said that there was no dance more exciting, or easy to learn, it required only a good ear to mark the time of the music. The chief requisite in this dance is to keep on one’s feet, for there is great danger if once you fall that you will have those who follow you really following over you. The Galop was often used in classic Ballet’s. The Galop is actually the forerunner of the Polka with the Minuet usually followed a Galop and then a Volte in dance order. The Berlin dance was a mix of the Polka and Galop dances.
The galop was particularly popular as the final dance of the evening. The “Post Horn Galop”, written by the cornet virtuoso Herman Koenig, was first performed in London in 1844; it remains a signal that the dancing at a hunt ball or wedding reception is ending.
