Dr. Zhivago- breakout music? | Page 2 | Golden Skate

Dr. Zhivago- breakout music?

Joined
Jul 11, 2003
My answer would be: D = all of the above (and don't forget a "flamenco" dancer . ;)
Of course you are right to suggest a violinist in the most literal sense .
It might be interesting to think of which skater(s) could do the most justice to Tschaikowsky's Violin Concerto.
Who would you like to see skate to it?
Well to begin with, I liked Medusa's reply the most, but hey that's me, and I am not going to change.

The topic is about breakthrough music, not Johnny Weir who already brokethrough with Otonal..

I still contend that movie background music, although so melodious, has nothing on the more serious composers. One of the great movies scorers (can't remember his name) in his acceptance speech at the Oscars said. First of all I would like to thank Beethoven, Bach, Wagner, Tschaikowsky for assisting me in this endeavor. (the audience roared with laughter)

It's difficult not to be influenced by Der Fliegende Hollander when scoring a Sea Epic. No?

I'm not putting movie background music down. I think it is fine for figure skaters. (stay away from Wagner).

By the way, other than Plush's violinist friend, has anyone ever composed a piece of music for figue skating? The Americans used to when a new Ice Show hit town, but that was when show skating was a must.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Well to begin with, I liked Medusa's reply the most, but hey that's me, and I am not going to change.

The topic is about breakthrough music, not Johnny Weir who already brokethrough with Otonal..

I still contend that movie background music, although so melodious, has nothing on the more serious composers. One of the great movies scorers (can't remember his name) in his acceptance speech at the Oscars said. First of all I would like to thank Beethoven, Bach, Wagner, Tschaikowsky for assisting me in this endeavor. (the audience roared with laughter)

It's difficult not to be influenced by Der Fliegende Hollander when scoring a Sea Epic. No?

I'm not putting movie background music down. I think it is fine for figure skaters. (stay away from Wagner).

By the way, other than Plush's violinist friend, has anyone ever composed a piece of music for figue skating? The Americans used to when a new Ice Show hit town, but that was when show skating was a must.

I also liked medusa's reply. The topic actually was "Is Doctor Zhivago Breakout Music - meaning does it bring good results. (answer is yes per topic statement)

As far as background music, many Film soundtracts become bestsellers when they hit the record (or is it CD) stores. Rocky, Starwars, Titanic, 2001 Space Oddesey - ha ha - R. Strauss, as it turns out had enough talent to be good enough for film music. How about Barry Lyndon using "Sarabande" by GF Handel? And let's not forget Barber's Adagio - so moving as the BACKGROUND music for "Platoon." Does that mean Barber or his Adagio are lacking integrity? Or are second rate? Seems Barber's Adagio was also played at a key moment in 20th century American history when it was performed at the funeral of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
I could go on ....and on....and ...on.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
By the way, other than Plush's violinist friend, has anyone ever composed a piece of music for figue skating? The Americans used to when a new Ice Show hit town, but that was when show skating was a must.

If you search on the web there are quite a few "composers" out there who advertise that they will compose original music for projects like figure skating, gymnastics routines, home movies, etc. I can't recall any particular examples, but my impression of the few pieces of original music that I have seen presented by skaters -- they are just not very good.

About unique music versus war horses, I confess to being of two minds. I liked the off-the-beaten-path music that Lori Nichol found for the young Michelle Kwan.

But then, too, I never get tired of Carmen. There has to be a reason why certain songs are chosen over and over by skaters at every level as the best vehicle for carrying their presentation.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
I

But then, too, I never get tired of Carmen. There has to be a reason why certain songs are chosen over and over by skaters at every level as the best vehicle for carrying their presentation.

Key factors not in any order would be: ease/possibilty of editing/cuts, tempo changes, or a good motion feeling like in a waltz, compatabilty of music to skater's style and personality, audience APPEAL
 
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Joined
Jul 11, 2003
^^^

I would love to see a skater with an original piece of music. It would be risky.

Kwan is Kwan and her ability to snap up different pieces of music is lengendary as she is.

Carmen has all the tunes with their variey of tempos (or tempi?) to satisfy the CoP, if there is a judge looking for changes of tempo. It's not in the protocols just in the bullets? Personally, I do not like it. it's more like a Broadway show to me than an opera, and it is so often used in figure skating that it makes the sport appear limp in the music department. No?
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Personally, I do not like it. it's more like a Broadway show to me than an opera, and it is so often used in figure skating that it makes the sport appear limp in the music department. No?

Well, you know a lot about music and a lot about skating. I think for the average spectator, it is a comfort to hear those familiar old tunes. Hey, isn't that the Toreador's song?

As for Broadway skating music, West Side Story is another one I never get tired of.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
^^^

Carmen has all the tunes with their variey of tempos (or tempi?) to satisfy the CoP, if there is a judge looking for changes of tempo. It's not in the protocols just in the bullets? Personally, I do not like it. it's more like a Broadway show to me than an opera, and it is so often used in figure skating that it makes the sport appear limp in the music department. No?

Before anyone " boos me loudly" I could see Yuna doing a "Carmen" that would become the definitive "Carmen of all Carmens."
Think of her look and costume from "El Tango de Roxanne." For me it was close to perfection. Then think of her dazzling musicality and strong skating technique.
I still have a hunch that Team Yuna is looking at her place in history. Her retake on "Michelle's" Scheherazade was successful and will not be so easy to top. I could see her doing the same thing with "Katerina's" Carmen.
Taking great iconic performances from the past, re-doing them and making them your own is not the worst idea when it comes to leaving your own lasting imprint on your sport.
I always admired Michelle so much for being original with her music choices - but have no problem seeing a skater as great as Yuna Kim paying homage to the skaters before her even as she takes the sport of figure skating to new heights.
 

Bruin714

On the Ice
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Before anyone " boos me loudly" I could see Yuna doing a "Carmen" that would become the definitive "Carmen of all Carmens."
Think of her look and costume from "El Tango de Roxanne." For me it was close to perfection. Then think of her dazzling musicality and strong skating technique.
I still have a hunch that Team Yuna is looking at her place in history. Her retake on "Michelle's" Scheherazade was successful and will not be so easy to top. I could see her doing the same thing with "Katerina's" Carmen.
Taking great iconic performances from the past, re-doing them and making them your own is not the worst idea when it comes to leaving your own lasting imprint on your sport.
I always admired Michelle so much for being original with her music choices - but have no problem seeing a skater as great as Yuna Kim paying homage to the skaters before her even as she takes the sport of figure skating to new heights.

Yuna chose Scheherazade, not Michelle's Scheherazade. Michelle had many brilliant programs, but she won't be remembered for Scheherazade.

I wonder how well Yuna would skate to Salome, The Red Violin, Lyra Angelica, or Aranjuez???
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Yuna chose Scheherazade, not Michelle's Scheherazade. Michelle had many brilliant programs, but she won't be remembered for Scheherazade.

I wonder how well Yuna would skate to Salome, The Red Violin, Lyra Angelica, or Aranjuez???

Probably brilliantly :)
Particularly since Yuna has said she grew up watching and studying all of Michelle's programs she already has skated the great "Michelle" programs listed above in her head an on the ice as well.
I always remember "Michelle's" Scheherazade because the music is one of my favorite tone poems and Michelle has always been one of my favorite skaters. One of my favorite skates by Michelle was at '95 Worlds when she was only 14. Maybe you have forgotten that one but I doubt if I ever will. And I will never forget the first time I saw Michelle skate Live. It was 1994 and 13 year old Michelle stole the show from Nancy and Oksana that evening.
Well she certainly stole the show from Nancy. Oksana, only a couple of months after winning the OGM was such an exquisite skater.
I happen to be a big fan of Yuna Kim, Caroline Zhang and many other skaters.
 
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wishmaker

Rinkside
Joined
Apr 4, 2009
I guess programs are created as music to the skater and skater to the music. Sometimes a music is chosen to suit the character of the skater and sometimes the skater can actually perform better to a certain music no matter what the skater's character is. Most of the time, the skaters are the reason why music is remembered. Take for example operas, people are now not so ignorant of what operas are unlike before when operas were only exclusive to the theatres and/or elites. An example to that is Shizuka Arakawa's Olympic program. Another group, but not of figure skating, is the IL Divo bringing opera songs to the public, appealing to different ages.

What I'm trying to say is that the skater connects the audience to the music with their performance/interpretation of the music. If the skater performs badly to a very good music, the appeal/magic may be minimal or none at all as to one's expectation and vice versa.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
One of my favorite skates by Michelle was at '95 Worlds when she was only 14.

:) Rondo Capriccioso. She did 7 triples (in 9 jumping passes!) Should have medalled.

Here's something I had forgotten. According to Heather's jump statistics Michelle did three combos including 2A+2T. If she does decide to come back this season, a 2A+3T would give her a way to get in 7 triples without a triple-triple.

This could be important, because Michelle has never done a 3Lz+3T in competition, and her old 3T+3T, which she did in major competition 11 times, is a CoP disaster. It's only worth 8 points and uses up one of her two allowed repeated jumps.
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
My answer would be: D = all of the above (and don't forget a "flamenco" dancer . ;)
Of course you are right to suggest a violinist in the most literal sense .
It might be interesting to think of which skater(s) could do the most justice to Tschaikowsky's Violin Concerto.
Who would you like to see skate to it?
That's understandable for you. Just skate to the sweet and surgary part. Melodies bring out the tragic soap opera tears. Nothing wrong with movie music, but it's nothing to swoon over, and it becomes worse when a skater ignores it to do a Triple Triple. But I agree, movie music is the best for skaters. Keeps them from being some sort of heroine in Opera music. (The Toscas, and Carmens doing Flying Camels have no meaning if the skater is following the character of the story. Stick to the music; not to the story.
 

antmanb

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 5, 2004
By the way, other than Plush's violinist friend, has anyone ever composed a piece of music for figue skating? The Americans used to when a new Ice Show hit town, but that was when show skating was a must.

Maxim Rodriguez composed a fair amount of muic specifically for the french skaters at one time. Off the top of my head - he composed Candeloro's D'artagnan music (one of my favourite programmes of his). I think he worked with Candeloro a lot. Also he worked with Abitbol&Bernadis who are one of my favourite pairs of all time - their programmes were always creative and stood out for their originality, perhaps helped by the composition? I'm draqwing a blank on the name but i'm sure it was somethign like Angel and Devil (or possible demon) which i loved of theirs.

Ant
 
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Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Somewhat OT, but I had the chance to meet a famous composer, Osvaldo Golijov, right at the time we were discussing what music Caroline Z should use for her programs this season. I was all set to ask him how he felt about skaters using his music. I wanted to tell him about her and Johnny. But then I listened to many snippets of it on Amazon and realized it was totally unsuitable for skating. Not too rhythmic, rather mournful, and mostly vocal. :eek:hwell:
 

Buttercup

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Maxim Rodriguez composed a fair amount of muic specifically for the french skaters at one time. Off the top of my head - he composed Candeloro's D'artagnan music (one of my favourite programmes of his). I think he worked with Candeloro a lot. Also he worked with Abitbol&Bernadis who are one of my favourite pairs of all time - their programmes were always creative and stood out for their originality, perhaps helped by the composition? I'm draqwing a blank on the name but i'm sure it was somethign like Angel and Devil (or possible demon) which i loved of theirs.
Ant
It was The Angel and The Devil. You can see their performance at 2000 Worlds on Youtube.

AFAIK, Joubert's All For You was composed especially for him.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Correct me if I'm wrong but Michelle used this for her LP in the 1997 Worlds?:p

You would be correct - but it was only a short segment from "Lawrence" - used towards the end - for a tempo change and the motion it provided for her step sequence. I think in the film the music Michelle used was from scenes when the Arab army, many on camels - were moving across the desert. A kind of bumpy, clip cloppity "motion music" that was a good choice for her steps.
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Maxim Rodriguez composed a fair amount of muic specifically for the french skaters at one time. Off the top of my head - he composed Candeloro's D'artagnan music (one of my favourite programmes of his). I think he worked with Candeloro a lot. Also he worked with Abitbol&Bernadis who are one of my favourite pairs of all time - their programmes were always creative and stood out for their originality, perhaps helped by the composition? I'm draqwing a blank on the name but i'm sure it was somethign like Angel and Devil (or possible demon) which i loved of theirs.

Ant
Very interesting, Ant. Are the musics recorded for sale? I hope he continues composing for figure skaters.
 

antmanb

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 5, 2004
Very interesting, Ant. Are the musics recorded for sale? I hope he continues composing for figure skaters.

I'm not sure if his previously composed pieces are available for sale or not, though i'm sure skaters would like to buy them.

I seem to recall he had a website (that was his name, dot, something) but having just done a google search i've only seen passing reference (though there were links to download sites for music so perhaps it is available to buy?).

The hits through google kept linking back to skaters bios at the ISU site so he must have done a fair amount of compositions for skaters. Also seemingly for gymnasts.

Ant
 
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