Galop

A fast duple-time dance in 2/4, originating in the early 19th century and named for the galloping gait it suggests. The galop is characterised by propulsive, repetitive rhythmic patterns, brilliant passage-work, and a relentless forward momentum. As a piano piece it became a staple of the salon and ballroom, requiring crisp articulation and rhythmic precision.

The galop originated in Germany around 1820 and swept through European ballrooms in the 1830s–40s. Composers including Offenbach and Saint-Saëns wrote galops, but the form was especially popular in French salon music. Burgmüller used it frequently in his opera arrangements and character pieces.