- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Johnny v. Lambiel
Mao v. Kim
Joe
Mao v. Kim
Joe
Johnny and Lambiel each has their own niche although Lambiel's might be little more broad. Lambiel has showcased more versatility than Johnny, that's for sure. But I can never imagine him skating to Swan or Otonal and vice versa. They are both able to emote, but in different ways.
Mao and Yuna. Well, Yuna is certainly more known for her ability to emote. Yuna is more tv-friendly skater because she emotes through her facial expression. OTOH, Mao's skating is easier on the eyes because her movements are fluid and bigger than Yuna's. Although they were already briliant skaters when they were juniors, none of their junior programs were memorable IMO. Last year though, Yuna had two great programs whereas Mao had one great program. So it's no surprise that some people say Yuna is a better skater (non-tech-wise) based on last year's performances. But the thing is even the greatest skater needs a right program. So I say give them a few more years before we can decide who can do whose program better. They are too young to have developed thier own styles. Good thing is they clearly don't hesitate to explore.
Although I love both Mao and Kim I don't see either one relating to the audience. Actually I don't see that with any of the ladies for quite some time.
Awesome post, fourclover, and I basically agree with everything you said EXCEPT for your thoughts on The Lark Ascending. That music is great and it does have lots of interesting lyrical changes, to me.
It's the skater's skill that makes her/his music and choreography stand out not vice versa.
Johnny v. Lambiel
Mao v. Kim
Joe
I cannot imagine Lambiel skating to the pieces that Johnny have been skating to. Especially, the ones for the Olympic season. Both SP and LP music sounded very Johnny. Also the choreo for the Swan was very Johnny.
But I feel that Johnny could skate to the Four Seasons. Yet, the costume must be changed. That was really.......interesting. I don't think that Johnny would ever skate in that costume.
Up until the Olympic season, I was not particularly impressed by Lambiel's presentation. I was always bugged by his arm position, which tended to be kind of low, which is a bit cute looking. But somehow, I came to enjoy his artistic side since the last season. Although his jumps were falling apart last year, he looked so much better. He has been getting sexier, too.
Yu-na and Mao have had only two seasons as senior. So I just cannot tell much. We only have a couple of sets of SPs, LPs, and galas to discuss.
I cannot imagine Yu-na skating to Nuts Cracker. It was very Mao. Mirai may do well as well.
I also cannot imagine Yu-na skating to chopin Nocturne. It was very Mao and a lot of people commented that this piece suits her as if it were written specifically for her.
I cannot imagine Yuna skating to Mao's last season's LP music. Well, it was Gipsy's I didn't think it suited Mao so well, either. Actually, Caroline may do it better than Mao. Especially her spins will go well with that music.
This year's Chopin LP is very Mao and I don't think that anyone would do better than herself. When I watched Shizuka's Olympic SP, I thought it sounding like background music (although shizuka looked so much more beautiful in her LP). But this Chopin LP for Mao is really delicate and nuanced and goes so well with all the light, detailed steps.
Mao's SP music doesn't sound very Mao. It is very beautiful music. But it sounds to me a bit too melancholic and too passionate for Mao. Sasha may do it better. Yet, Mao may become better in connecting the music after overcoming the nerves that she seems to be struggling with. We'll see.
Finally, this year's Chopin gala performance looks perfectly great for her.
I did not enjoy "Papa.... ," the LP program that Yuna skated to as a junior. It seemed to lack both expressions and lines. If Yuna skates to it now, she would do better. I feel that Mai may do well as well.
I cannot imagine Mao skating to roxanne. It was very Yuna. It was very theatrical and a lot of passion, facial expressions, and sexual appeal to the audience. I also think that Daisuke did very well when he skated to that music.
I cannot imagine Mao skating to Miss Saigon. I believe it either Yuna or Kwan type of music.
Yuna's last season's LP was very nuanced, poetic piece. I feel that it was a good fit with Yuna. It was mystique, exotic, and poetic and suited well with Yuna's calm, nuanced atmosphere. It also reminded me of Lu Chen. She would be very beautiful in that music, too.
Finally, I think Mao, young Baiul, and ice dancers would do better in her waltz SP because of their stronger training in dances. Yet Yuna did well in expressing the comical side of the music through her facial expression.
To me, Yu-na's signature performance was roxanne at Worlds and Mao's signature performance was Chopin at Skate America last year.