Music Ideas for All Skaters

ae9177 said:

Merrybari, I'm talking about the 4th movement of New World Symphony, here's the link to my favorite interpretation. :yes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlci-kCEaKE&feature=related

Evan may also consider the theme score from "the Big Country", should be a perfect choice for 2009 LA Worlds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxqOVt_YE8

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Thanks for the links! :thumbsup:
Plenty of power in that one! A real challenge to know where/how to cut. Glad it's not up to me.

Big Country is very apt as you suggest for Worlds in LA.

Evan seems to prefer and does best, IMO, with character driven pieces. Not being familiar with the stories behind either, I'll be interested to check out the sources further.

Medusa said:

Buttle
Beethoven Piano concerto No.4 Andante con moto
Mussorgsky Il vecchio castello - Pictures of an exhibition - both as long programs.

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Beautiful. I can picture Jeff skating to these pieces. They somehow reminded me of his 2004-5 SP. I like Jeff skating to something soulful. I especially love the Beethoven one because it has various emotions. I love the second movement better, but the first movement may be more Jeff-like. I am sure that Jeff would look very beautiful in this type of beautiful classical music although he tends to go for something a little unconventional.

ETA: I also found your pick of "Rite of Spring" wonderful for Lambiel. Chan and Oda also may look nice skating to it.

Medusa said:

"Forest Scenes: The Prophet Bird, Opus 82" by Schumann.

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I've never heard of this piece before. Thtank you for sharing. It's such a mysterious, lovely piece of music. I love it.

I also love "The Air" by Bach. Angelic Johnny . I also could picture Mao skating to it. Carolina looked very nice in a similar piece of music last season.

By the way, has any junior or novice skater ever skated to this? Would be great in my opinion - age-appropriate music.

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Good idea. I also think Mozart 12 Variations Ah vous dirais-je, maman KV265 would be a lovely choice for a baby skater.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c_g_NhF46s

ae9177 said:

... the 4th movement of New World Symphony, here's the link to my favorite interpretation. :yes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlci-kCEaKE&feature=related

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There is the JAWS! motive...:boohoo:

Johnny

I don't know if he likes classical music, but something romantic would be nice.

Chopin Piano Concerto No.1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqrYCrDspgE&NR=1

Mao

Since she's so angelic, something peaceful, soft, and dreamy....

Debussy - Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_7loz-HWUM

Debussy: La Mer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OFT8fBLQt4

Beethoven - Symphonie Nr. 6 (Pastoral)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GWMApWKQIY

Beethoven Romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepSowYQFpg&feature=related

Chan

Something a bit unconventional but within the line of classical music.

Shostakovich Violin Concerto
Movements 3 & 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-swUGxiUTM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjC_L6gLUz8&feature=related

Movement 3 is a most beautiful piece of music. It's bittersweet and soulful. Very moving. It makes me feel cry. The movement 4 is very fast and powerful. Chan's intricate steps would shine.

Bartok Violin Concerto
3rd movement
It's really interesting and beautiful. I love this music. Chan would look nice in music like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8i52dMR_tg&feature=related

Great List, Medusa!! Maybe these young skaters can go beyond background music. I apologize but I want to see first if they are of the calibre to skate to such serious music.

Best for Lambiel would be to wear simming trunks to the Rite of Spring and nothing else ecept the skates. That would be one upmanship on Candeloro.

Joe

Joesitz said:

Best for Lambiel would be to wear simming trunks to the Rite of Spring and nothing else ecept the skates. That would be one upmanship on Candeloro.

Joe

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Is it possible to get a 10 point costume deduction?:chorus:

mycelticblessing said:

:Is it possible to get a 10 point costume deduction?:chorus:

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No, but considering some of the things I've seen, it should be.

I'd rather Lambiel show up in swimming trunks than show up in a tutu as Tobel once did in an Ex.

Buttercup said:

No, but considering some of the things I've seen, it should be.

I'd rather Lambiel show up in swimming trunks than show up in a tutu as Tobel once did in an Ex.

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http://aerialexperience.com/Quickst...l Figure Skating Champion Laurent Tobel_w.jpg

I had to see it to believe it..

I have no idea why conversations had to turn to something so creepy.

Back to the topic,

Mirai

Something fresh, joyful, and lively.

Schubert Quintet "Trout"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tai73xBPW24&feature=related
This is very fresh music. I really love it. Mirai's fast skating would shine. Not the greatest performance here, but it is such a shiny piece of music.

Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mixnMzHUYxA

Beethoven Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzik6m2gdY

Schumann Piano Concerto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSt_AjvCo8s

Musical Gigi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JQbC8F2vc

I had skated to Gigi myself. It's a very lovely, fresh piece of music. Sweet, girlish and easy to skate to because of the variations in melodies. It might be a little bit juniorish but good for SP.

Gee~ don't know where to begin...
I've been enjoying all the music clips... what a variety!

Among the many great ideas...
These caught my attention.

Medusa said:

Klezmer music for a short program...

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by the Argentinean clarinetist Giora Feidman!

ae9177 said:

...the theme score from "the Big Country"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxqOVt_YE8

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...reminds me of the 'bigness' of Brian Boitano... powerful, yet, simple and natural...
I once asked my American teacher about how he thought of the difference between American and European music... and he said he observed a lot of openness in the harmonic spacing in American music... (mostly, in this case, Copland, Barber, Bernstein...)... just like its nature, he added...
See... I always felt Boitano was the skater who wanted to be released to the outdoors... to the frozen lake...

dorispulaski said:

Brian Boitano 1988 Water Fountain, skated on a glacier in Alaska
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVccf6Mzs4

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not sure if it's long enough, and I don't have any particular skater in mind, but I'd love someone to skate to "Hymn Song on Phillip Bliss" which is actually a very beautiful arrangement of "It Is Well With My Soul" (it was one of the pieces played at the memorial service for the last space shuttle tragedy. just a bit of random trivia lol)


There are quite a few John William's pieces I wouldn't mind seeing Evan Lysacek use... I'm drawing a blank as to the title of the particular one... though he composes "movie background" music (I think we call them soundtracks ) and while some might not consider them serious pieces of music, I challenge them to try to play to that level of work! *whew!* John Williams is brilliant...


I think Ryan Bradley could do the Indiana Jones Theme justice... if he were to use the full cut (or rather most of it) for a long program, he could really get into the character of Indy.

jyshin said:

Gee~ don't know where to begin...
I've been enjoying all the music clips... what a variety!

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You have to consider cutting most these down to about 4 minutes and they must be good cuts. Then ask yourself if the skater is really with the character of the composer?

Joe

Bennett said:

I have no idea why conversations had to turn to something so creepy.

Back to the topic,

Mirai

Something fresh, joyful, and lively.

Schubert Quintet "Trout"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tai73xBPW24&feature=related
This is very fresh music. I really love it. Mirai's fast skating would shine. Not the greatest performance here, but it is such a shiny piece of music.

Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mixnMzHUYxA

Beethoven Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzik6m2gdY

Schumann Piano Concerto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSt_AjvCo8s

Musical Gigi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JQbC8F2vc

I had skated to Gigi myself. It's a very lovely, fresh piece of music. Sweet, girlish and easy to skate to because of the variations in melodies. It might be a little bit juniorish but good for SP.

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I like gigi for the SP. There is some good music on that soundtrack. I am surprised no ice dance teams have ever used it. Spring would make a nice LP, maybe in a medley with something else.

Joesitz said:

You have to consider cutting most these down to about 4 minutes and they must be good cuts. Then ask yourself if the skater is really with the character of the composer?

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I was wondering about it, too, especially in competition programs.

:think:
If I were to make music selections for a skater/team, I would start with two things: skaters personality/vision and technical ability/elements..., but not with a piece of music, unless it is requested or required.

:think::think:
In my opinion, the vision of the program should come first.
When the character of the program suits the performer, it can only enhance his/her ability... The character would tell where to find the music... movie sound track, specific composer or style of music, etc.

Then, I think it is equally important to have a Morosov type of approach... I would have skaters video tape all the technical elements from many different angles, and analyze the timing, individual style to particular element, etc. This should pretty much determine the length of each sound clip alloted to each technical (skating) element.

:think::think::think:

In constructing background music for competition programs, there should be at least three sound sources that provide melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, characteristic reference to the skater.

And, most importantly one needs a vast music library to toy around with... and DEFINITELY a competent sound engineer to mix the sound clips.

There are somethings that I would keep in mind...for instance...
sudden tempo changes, especially from slow to fast..., particularly when the skater is tired...
the acoustics in the arena... I would begin with a thought of what combination of sound would project in cathedrals or outdoors...without amplifying aids(!)
clean and complete cadences tend to create organized and poised ambiance.
seamless musical transitions... there can be many different ways besides using a pivot note to connect difference sections of music... also, it should help to have the score when working on the transitions.
.
.
.
on and on...

p.s.
just realized that this can be a full-time job~

Tinymavy15 said:

I like gigi for the SP. There is some good music on that soundtrack. I am surprised no ice dance teams have ever used it. Spring would make a nice LP, maybe in a medley with something else.

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A young coulple would look fresh and lovely in Gigi. How about the newer American team (I forgot their names)?

More Music for Mao

Debussy Beau Soir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlqAKv3kBig

Debussy Reflets dans l'eau
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpQl1cCl8

Debussy - La Cathedrale engloutie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsdIkUSjXv8&feature=related

Debussy - Deux Arabesques #1 and #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15afUxNFsoY

Debussy Isle of Joy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HQu2ta7SUU&feature=related

Debussy La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7WjqNPoKmc

Debussy "Reverie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z60Lw6qA2Dg

More Music for Mirai
Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 for Piano and Violin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDkT4M8GAs
This is a very fresh piece of music. I really love it. It has nice attacks in it as well.

Beethoven: Sonata No. 10 for Piano and Violin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjTjH5_SPpU&feature=related
A bit mellow. But very harmonious.

jyshin said:

::think::think:
In my opinion, the vision of the program should come first.
When the character of the program suits the performer, it can only enhance his/her ability... The character would tell where to find the music... movie sound track, specific composer or style of music, etc.

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That's right. You know what? What I thought really interesting about Mao's Chopin Fantasia Impromptu was that it was just as fresh and peaceful as breeze when the theme of this music is really passionate and melancholic. When the news first came out that Mao was going to use Fantasia Impromptu, I was worried how Mao would skate to this music because there is nothing melancholic about her character or skating at all. But Nichol used transcriptions with string and the last part of the variation is really peaceful, which matched Mao very well. I thought it such an interesting, newer interpretation of this music and was impressed that Nichol did a very good job for her. So I liked her skating to this music in the previous white costume better even though the newer costume reflected the actual theme of the music better.

Don't ask me why, but for the last little while now I've had visions of Stefan Lindemann skating to Flaming Red Hair, otherwise known as Bilbo's Party Music, from The Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring : The Complete Soundtrack. BTW, that would be complete w/hobbit hair skate boot coverings too.

I don't know why, but that's been in my head for about a year now!!

Bennett said:

What I thought really interesting about Mao's Chopin Fantasia Impromptu was that it was just as fresh and peaceful as breeze when the theme of this music is really passionate and melancholic. When the news first came out that Mao was going to use Fantasia Impromptu, I was worried how Mao would skate to this music because there is nothing melancholic about her character or skating at all. But Nichol used transcriptions with string and the last part of the variation is really peaceful, which matched Mao very well. I thought it such an interesting, newer interpretation of this music and was impressed that Nichol did a very good job for her...

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Mao's music choice bothered me from the beginning.
I totally agree with Bennett on both of her descriptions of Mao's skating quality and the 'tamed' version of Fantasie-Impromptu.
My argument is, why did she use the Fantasie-Impromptu when there were other music that could better suit Mao's character...like the A-flat major Impromptu, that has her personality... "fresh and peaceful as breeze"...

My question is rather for Lori Nichol. I wonder if she was too quick to search for transcriptions before listening to other Chopin music... I wonder if she even bothered to use anything but the well-known popular piece... My real question is... was she even aware of other Chopin Impromptus besides the popular Fantasie-Impromptu?
Most importantly, why am I afraid to hear Lori's answer?... I am afraid that it is the same reason why her music choice has kept bothering me.

Mao is one of the very few skaters who can communicate with her audience through music. Why not put some extra effort to find the music that would suit her personality?

I wonder if anyone remember from Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze 1998-9 LP...

Reinhold Glière: Concerto For Coloratura Soprano & Orchestra, Op. 82

It has been quite interesting for me to read about Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze.
So far I read about "City Light" "Lady Caliph" "Meditation de Thais"... but not about their "Glière Concerto", which is my personal favorite of B/S. This concerto has two movements and they used the first one, Andante.

I just wanted to remind everyone how beautiful the music is and would like to encourage more skaters to use it.

jyshin said:

Mao's music choice bothered me from the beginning.
I totally agree with Bennett on both of her descriptions of Mao's skating quality and the 'tamed' version of Fantasie-Impromptu.
My argument is, why did she use the Fantasie-Impromptu when there were other music that could better suit Mao's character...l
(...)
Most importantly, why am I afraid to hear Lori's answer?... I am afraid that it is the same reason why her music choice has kept bothering me.

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Lori usually doesn't choose music for the skater. Usually she picks a selection of tunes that she thinks fitting, then the skater picks the music pieces they like the most. Sometimes they decide on the music together.

Mao was the one who picked Fantasie Impromptu. Firstly, because she loves Chopin, secondly, because she thinks this particular tune is "gorgeous", and thirdly, because she wanted to challenge herself with something difficult and change her image. She thought she lacked maturity and wanted to pick more serious tune and skate "gorgeous" - she used that particular word, in English, a few times.

I think it was a good choice - it was a good season to experiment before Olympics, and the things she learned (like the ability to do very fast, very intricate footwork) will benefit her in the future.

And I really loved the initial choreography & spin layout. The problem is, it wasn't very CoP-efficient, so Mao ended up changing it. After the changes, it looked to me as if she was struggling to execute all the elements in time, not to mention the new spins didn't go with the music as well. But well, that's CoP for you.