Finally, another excellent Journal entry from Johnny (7/5/08):
http://figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/journal.html
http://figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/journal.html
I was feeling very full of myself and the next day (my birthday) I ran, arms flailing, into the sea only to spot a six inch long black fish and run screaming from the surf.
as always a fun read, yeah i'm not so shure about nina petrenko neither, but i TRUST Johnny; he woudn't do it if he didn't feel she could help him in some way, so i'm very excited to see him next season.
he's so funny.... that part about him in the ocean, i can just picture it
i'm curious to see what his lp music will be, his short is by saint preux "i did a little research and that music has Johnny writen all over it-soft, piano,angelic,classic,JOHNNY!!
something with more power, depth and meaning than a generic piece of forgettable muzak.
I don't care for the music. It sounds like generic muzak.
Sample here:
http://www.saint-preux.fr/en/disco.html
If Johnny wants a soft piece or a piano piece or piece from a French composer, why not a classic from Debussy...something with more power, depth and meaning than a generic piece of forgettable muzak. I would love to see Johnny perform to "Afternoon of the Faun," or "Engloutie Cathedral."
If Johnny wants to skate to Russian music, why not the piano version of Mussourgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," or a Scriabin piano sonata. I just dont want to see Johnny skate to another piece of generic muzak.
Johnny's taste in music is questionable. "Love is War" was a bit on the trashy side--a bit of quasi-dramatic drivel, it was. But it worked for him!?! I love Stravinsky's Firebird as a possibility. It is really wonderful, dramatic music and I believe Johnny could relate to it. It didn't work the best for Kurt Browning (in competition) or Micki Ando, and several others. But it's Russian--and couldn't Tarasova work wonders with it! (Evan, perhaps?)
Thanks for the music links.
Stephane could do it. he can do anything.
I ... don't think so ...:no: I can't picture Stephane doing "Swan" and " Otonal " . more beautiful than Johnny did ... IMO
Perhaps he would do it in a different way, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to do it just as beautiful and impressive as Johnny. Both pieces are open to different interpretations. My opinion is that Stéphane and Johnny are both very artistic skaters - in a very different way. Johnny is more of an impressionist, where Stéphane seems to be more of an expressionist. If you ask J.M.W. Turner and Henri Matisse to paint a certain identical scene - the result will be totally different, but it would be impossible to say which picture is more "beautiful" - both would possibly be very impressive in their own right.
I happen to think that Stéphane would make a great swan.
I totally agree with you. They both are superb figure skaters, both very musical, and both with different styles. I think that's why if one does not get on the fanatical bandwagon of one over the other, both of them can be enjoyed even in competition.That was actually my point of the post. But my impression of the poster sounded like Stephane can do anything unlike Johnny, so I was writing that way.
I agree they are both great artists in different way. Both are very creative.
But my image of Stephane is more fit with music which has speed and power. Johnny also has music that really fit him and he can truly feel with. Because of the personalities ? So I can not picture Stephane doing swan even in a different way unless arranging the music to something up beat . I think Johnny is also very expressive, but not outgoing to audience like Stephane. I like Stephane's artisty but to me, Johnny's subtle performance actually deleted all the other out going performances from my mind.
It’s just a matter of one’s taste.
I have not seen a complete program of Johnny being one with the music since Otonal, although I know he is quite capable. He seems to be concentrating on clean performances which he does very well. He's very lyrical, and he's young enough to be on the Olys podium.
Stephane, on the other hand, has very strong nuances that go beyond the choreography. I am always amazed how he moves to the rhythms of any music, and with body language.To me, he is a Master Skater encomposing both lyrical and bravura styles. I believe he is even younger than Johnny but I also feel that he has passed his prime, technically. Those knee surgeries are never totally successful.
I'm looking forward to the 2009 Worlds to see how these two are coming along.