Gopak

The title Gopak originated as a dance among the Cossack male dancers but evolved into a variety of mixed groups, and is known as the “National Dance of Ukraine.”  The original name Hopak “and the corresponding exclamation hop! is said during a jump or as an expression of surprise.”  This fun setting features mallets and TD staccato notes much of the time, offset by LV passages and the many Rung phrases ending in a TD. So hop! Is certainly apparent throughout this work. The challenge in this setting is to religiously adhere to the alternating stopped and Rung notes, all the while attending to the many dynamics ranging from sub P to sFz- and doing it all cleanly and at tempo. It is short – just under 2:00 minutes – so it would be a perfect choice for an encore!  This is sure to become one of your group’s very favorite titles and will be a terrific concert selection any time of the year!