Mao Asada

[inskate]

On Hana022014's channel (http://www.dailymotion.com/user/hana02014/1) there are many news programs with Mao, including 2 that I haven't seen posted here yet (0628 & 0629). You can see some new clips showing Mao practicing her EX and her group number with Caro and Joannie. I like the move Mao does at 03:30 in the 0628 video and the group spiral sequence from the other video. The group number is going to be awesome!

Madame Butterfly---yes, fine, totally great, fabulous, no doubt Mao's going to own it, will be epic, etc. but, er, which version of 'Bei Mir Bistu Shein' will it be??

There are apparently like a 100 versions of Bei Mir Bist Du Schon on Youtube. I found a nice blog entry about the poster's favourite performances, though: http://www.imaginaryplanet.net/weblogs/idiotprogrammer/2010/01/testing-bei-mir-bist-du-schon/

I found 3 versions I love, but, to be honest, I'm having trouble imagining how they would work as a SP, either...

Budapest Klezmer Version - Beautiful vocals, great sound quality and the use of the klezmer instrument makes this version sound very unique. I like the jazz/scat part in the middle. However, I can't imagine how the elements could be placed - this piece has a couple of great, explosive moments, but they seem to short to fit a StSq. And it would be difficult to fit lvl4 spins anywhere... I certainly could imagine it as an EX, but my CoP-brain fails me.

The Janis Siegel version - I could imagine an explosive StSq fitting perfectly at the end, but where to fit the 3A and the combo? The beginning of the song seems rather too fast... Mao seems to prefer to time her 3A approach perfectly with the music/rhythm and I'm having trouble imagining her making it wo

The Martha Tilton version - I could imagine the choreo, but the quality of the recording seems not good enough to play in the rink (understandably, since this is a very old recording). Maybe there is a remastered version available somewhere? That orchestral, folkish (Yiddish..?) finale is fantastic!

 

[hurrah]

@ gotoschool & inskate

Wow, I'm really loving the versions you've suggested. I guess I'd go for the Budapest Klezmer version as a guess because it has the most variation in tempo. The voice (of all the versions) is awesome. It's hot and sultry without it sounding ingratiating at all. It is the voice of a beautiful woman in full control of her femininity. Luv it!!

And I love that it's sung in Yiddish! I don't think that's a cultural reference that's too frequently used in figureskating programs. Lori chooses some interesting cultural references for Mao. She had her skate to a gospel last season, which I thought was pretty interesting, too.

 

[yhmafan]

Thank you for the great suggestions, as far as I have listened, almost all versions are Awesome.
Wonder how did they even decide which version goes to the best for her ?
Many Japanese female singers also had sung the song before. Aki Yashiro version for example.

As to the Mao’s SP, I would be really ok and pleased it with female vocals but I would prefer and hope that no-vocal version goes to her Madame butterfly instead.

Some skaters skated before using the music.

Kristi Yamaguchi https://youtu.be/q637NhSOHpk
Shizuka Arakawa https://youtu.be/bFPsZcks3zw (bad camera work though, no closed-up, out of focus, etc)
Marin Honda https://youtu.be/c-_S_EToIhM (She reminds me so much of Mao.)
Seeing their performances and traditional Japanese-ish costumes, now I am so excited! especially about her costume what and how it would look be like.

 

[gotoschool]

rosewood from fsuniverse posted this video of Mao, Carolina and Joannie in Toronto showing what they did when they weren't training:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vvnfu_0629-theice-カナダでの振り付けに密着_sport

 

[gotoschool]

I thought this video was really interesting. It is Mao skating her "I Got Rhythm" program with her new SP music for this upcoming season, though I don't know what version she will choose. They gel together fairly well, though I expect the new program will have a wider contrast in emotions and in the dynamics of delivery, slow at first and fiery at the finish with more maturity, as Mao said she wished to display.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImQofs71emY

 

[gotoschool]

I thought I would post a little history and lyrics to the music to for Mao's SP program, Bei Mir Bistu Shein ("To Me You are Beautiful"). Originally written in 1932, I read that Sholom Secunda (the composer) sold the rights for only $30 and later split the amount with Jacob Jacobs (the lyricist) and that shortly thereafter the Andrew Sisters who were unknown turned into a big hit with more of a swing feel than the original in 1937. I have read that many 1920s jazz musicians and composers fell on hard times in the 1930s with the switch to swing like one of my favorites: Jelly Roll Morton. Now, that does really lend some sadness to the song for such a big hit to give so little to those who wrote and composed it, though I also read that they regained the rights in 1961.

The original version was a dialogue between two lovers who shares lines in the song according to wikipedia but was changed when written in English so it sounds like just the woman is singing the words. This is my best guess.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bei_Mir_Bistu_Shein

Andrew Sisters version 1937

I don't know if we are allowed to just post the lyrics to a whole song on this thread, so here is a link to the words in the 1937 Andrew Sister's version:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/bei-mir-bist-du-schoen-lyrics-andrews-sisters.html

I tried to get some kind of translation for the original Yiddish version. I got the original Yiddish lyrics from this site: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/בייַ-מיר-ביסטו-שיין-bay-mir-bistu-sheyn.html

Then, I put them in google translate and made changes to get it to sound more like English. Does anyone know how to get a better translation?

Original Yiddish Version with my attempt at an English translation using google and guesswork

Kh'vil you say, you immediately hear

That you love me explain

When your eyes are red

I would fly with you where you want

Don't start without me

When you have a little understanding

When you have a northern smile

When you are hardly a Galician

more than even Indians

I say: This place is not for me


To me you are beautiful,

Me hast grace,

To me you are the only one in the world.

To me you are Good

Me hast "AIT",

To me you are more precious than money.

Many lovely ones would take me

But from all of them I choose only you

To me you are beautiful

To me you are the only one in the world

This passionate song about longing for distant love combined with an explosively fierce step sequence could be the recipe for streams of tears.

 

[hurrah]

I thought I would post the lyrics to Mao's SP program. Originally written in 1932, I read that Sholom Secunda (the composer) sold the rights for only $30 and later split the amount with Jacob Jacobs (the lyricist) and that shortly thereafter the Andrew Sisters who were unknown turned into a big hit with more of a swing feel than the original in 1937. I have read that many 1920s jazz musicians and composers fell on hard times in the 1930s with the switch to swing like one of my favorites: Jelly Roll Morton. Now, that does really lend some sadness to the song for such a big hit to give so little to those who wrote and composed it, though I also read that they regained the rights in 1961.

The original version was a dialogue between two lovers who shares lines in the song according to wikipedia but was changed when written in English so it sounds like just the woman is singing the words. This is my best guess.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bei_Mir_Bistu_Shein

Andrew Sisters version 1937

I don't know if we are allowed to just post the lyrics to a whole song on this thread, so here is a link to the words in the 1937 Andrew Sister's version:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/bei-mir-bist-du-schoen-lyrics-andrews-sisters.html

I tried to get some kind of translation for the original Yiddish version. I got the original Yiddish lyrics from this site: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/בייַ-מיר-ביסטו-שיין-bay-mir-bistu-sheyn.html

Then, I put them in google translate and made changes to get it to sound more like English. Does anyone know how to get a better translation?

Original Yiddish Version with my attempt at an English translation using google and guesswork

Kh'vil you say, you immediately hear

That you love me explain

When your eyes are red

I would fly with you where you want

Don't start without me

When you have a little understanding

When you have a northern smile

When you are hardly a Galician

more than even Indians

I say: This place is not for me


To me you are beautiful,

Me hast grace,

To me you are the only one in the world.

To me you are Good

Me hast "AIT",

To me you are more precious than money.

Many lovely ones would take me

But from all of them I choose only you

To me you are beautiful

To me you are the only one in the world

That is really cool, gotoschool!

 

[gotoschool]

That is really cool, gotoschool!

I prefer the Yiddish version because the instruments and vocalist harmonize in such a soulful heartache and climatic transcendence. To me the other versions I have heard (though I haven't heard that many) don't have the emotional depth and dynamics in build up to the conclusion that the original does. To be fair, I think the Andrew Sisters have wonderful harmonies and their version is great as a romantic swing dance song. It hasn't been announced yet, only I have heard that it will be a female vocalist and the word Yiddish is mentioned, so I am hoping it is the original. Here is the original version again I found on youtube with the Budapest Klezmer Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUVEq6NC7mM

 

[Franklin99]

rosewood from fsuniverse posted this video of Mao, Carolina and Joannie in Toronto showing what they did when they weren't training:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vvnfu_0629-theice-カナダでの振り付けに密着_sport

Are they practicing to perform this number during The Ice, because I would love to see this performance in its entirety.

 

[gotoschool]

Are they practicing to perform this number during The Ice, because I would love to see this performance in its entirety.

Yes, this is the collaborative program they plan to do together in The Ice beginning near the end of July.

 

[Franklin99]

Yes, this is the collaborative program they plan to do together in The Ice beginning near the end of July.

YES!!! Thank you gotoschool, I can't wait for The Ice. It seems Mao wants to spoil her fans after her long break from skating (for me it felt like 5 years).

 

[gotoschool]

YES!!! Thank you gotoschool, I can't wait for The Ice. It seems Mao wants to spoil her fans after her long break from skating (for me it felt like 5 years).

That is really cool, gotoschool!

Thank you Franklin99 and hurrah. I can't wait for Mao's performances either.

What version of Madame Butterfly would you like Mao to use? The number 1 version on youtube in terms of view count is this one by Maria Callas. Honestly, I am not a big fan of straight opera like I am of classical music, but the vocals are impressive and quite emotional. It just seems so desperate and dark but remarkably powerful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN9Dipgqdtw

There is this version which has the dynamic of male and female romantic interaction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcQNjV-YSiM

But again, to me the vocals can drown out the focus on the skating. If vocals were thrown in intermittently with the instrumentals I think I would like these versions, probably the first a bit more.

I know it may sound like going a bit too far and maybe it is, but I can't help wondering what it would be like if Mao performed Madame Butterfly with traditional white Japanese makeup as the woman in the second video is wearing and like Mao wore in her AirWeave commercials. It would be quite a theatrical experience.

Mao's Airweave Commercial in traditional white makeup (thanks to Minze2001 for posting):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=eciWxJCpwAU&app=desktop

There is also this instrumental performance that sounds moving and haunting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyOs24DUV4

To be honest, the only thing difficult for me to believe about Mao portraying Butterfly in the story is that I can't imagine any man would be foolish enough to leave behind someone as beautiful and charming as Mao. But then again, Mao is a marvelous actress on ice.

What do the rest of you think of these versions and do you know of any other versions that would make for a great performance? Do you prefer Mao to have vocals or no vocals in her Madame Butterfly LP?

Here are some Madame Butterfly performances:

Kristi Yamaguchi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q637NhSOHpk

Mirai Nagasu Skate America 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgG6A0Fm-o

Marin Honda Junior Nationals 2014: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2c...onals-fs_sport

Shizuka Arakawa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFPsZcks3zw

 

[yhmafan]

To be honest, the only thing difficult for me to believe about Mao portraying Butterfly in the story is that I can't imagine any man would be foolish enough to leave behind someone as beautiful and charming as Mao. But then again, Mao is a marvelous actress on ice.

Good point

Just as I said before, I would definitely prefer her Madame Butterfly with no vocals (an instrumental version).
I don’t dislike opera vocals but when it comes to FS…I think It’s easily turned to just like as you said.

But then, if Mao loves to skate to the music with vocals I won't mind

 

[gotoschool]

Good point

Just as I said before, I would definitely prefer her Madame Butterfly with no vocals (an instrumental version).
I don’t dislike opera vocals but when it comes to FS…I think It’s easily turned to just like as you said.

But then, if Mao loves to skate to the music with vocals I won't mind

Thanks for the feedback yhma fan. I think I would like to have some vocals during parts of the performance but not all the way through because I think it would add to the drama and variety of Mao's performance.

New HD videos of Mao's old performances

Here is a charming version of Mao's Mary Poppins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuNR-KaJ7inYM

and Mao's SP in the Grand Prix final: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-tzWi4MM94

Beautiful triple axel period!

Also, I don't know if this has been posted but this is Mao's final radio show from June 29:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0cl2IqULJM

 

[hurrah]

From Mai:

https://twitter.com/asadamai717/status/616760928780943360/video/1

Feel the supremely rejuvenating powers of my cute sister in action.
So cute, you can't help but be rejuvenated ��
Okay, time to get back to earning a living everyone ✌︎

Mai is also cute for doting on Mao so much!

Incidentally, from watching interviews, it is very obviously clear to me that Mao absolutely adores Mai. There was a clip of Mao in Canada recently discussing what her hairstyle should be during THE ICE, and someone suggested that she should have her hair in Barbie-like curls, and Mao very naturally said that it would not suit her because she has a very Japanese face, even though it would actually suit Mai very much (and Mai is actually not taking part in THE ICE, as far as I am aware). And I thought it was telling of how much Mao is always thinking about Mai, even far away in Canada. So cute.

 

[gotoschool]

From Mai:

https://twitter.com/asadamai717/status/616760928780943360/video/1

Feel the supremely rejuvenating powers of my cute sister in action.
So cute, you can't help but be rejuvenated ��
Okay, time to get back to earning a living everyone ✌︎

Mai is also cute for doting on Mao so much!

Incidentally, from watching interviews, it is very obviously clear to me that Mao absolutely adores Mai. There was a clip of Mao in Canada recently discussing what her hairstyle should be during THE ICE, and someone suggested that she should have her hair in Barbie-like curls, and Mao very naturally said that it would not suit her because she has a very Japanese face, even though it would actually suit Mai very much (and Mai is actually not taking part in THE ICE, as far as I am aware). And I thought it was telling of how much Mao is always thinking about Mai, even far away in Canada. So cute.

So adorable, beautiful and cheerful, hurrah.

 

[yhmafan]

Thanks for the feedback yhma fan. I think I would like to have some vocals during parts of the performance but not all the way through because I think it would add to the drama and variety of Mao's performance.

That's a nice idea also makes sense indeed. I would love it too. :yes:

 

[yhmafan]

Mao Asada Ballade no.1-----Awesome gifs

 

[urara]

Mao Asada Ballade no.1-----Awesome gifs

Just beautiful
I want Mao to skate to Chopin's Piano Concerto No1 2nd mvt or Raindrop from Lady of the Camellias someday.

 

[gotoschool]

Mao Asada Ballade no.1-----Awesome gifs

Really nice photos yhma fan.

Here is an article about Mao returning to competition with a couple of pieces of information that were new to me.

1. The article quotes Mao as saying that it was "equally important to continue the same thing for an extended period of time." and that having seen people toiling in various fields outside of skating made her "want to work hard toward something."

2. The article also quoted Mao as saying that she felt she would get injured now if she were to practice for as many hours as she did when she was a teenager. Also, it said that Mao felt it important to pay attention to her sleep and to not practice intensively, if she has pain in her body. Maybe, Mao's "power nap" after her difficult practice session early in the day before her Sochi LP is still fresh in her mind.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/sports/AJ201505290054