2015-2016 Programs by Discipline

[Layback11]

Also Michal Brezina, Misha Ge, Konstantin Menshov...I'm super curious about their choices.

Very true! That's ten top or top-ish skaters who we haven't heard from yet...suspense

 

[Mia29]

Soundhound says it is Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35: Allegro moderato

Does anyone have a link to scores from this competition?

From the summer cup ? here : https://ffsg.org/resultats-summer-cup-2015-2/
But Ponsart, Besseghier, James/Cipres and Lecavelier didn't skate during the summer cup as competitors

 

[Pika]

Soundhound says it is Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35: Allegro moderato

Does anyone have a link to scores from this competition?

Romain wasn't taking part to the competition actually. He and Chafik were just here to "present" their programs, without getting scores, but just receiving opinions from the federation, the judges, etc

 

[silverfoxes]

Finally, Deniss Vasiljevs' music is updated:

SP: Puttin' On the Ritz by Irvine Berlin, performed by Taco, Robbie Williams
He's keeping his FS from last season: Adagio for Tron by Daft Punk

 

[bramweld]

Yep, I don't know about the choice of music either. From what Igor said in that interview it seems they picked the music to fit the new choreo, which makes me think Rach. was not the first choice.

You're probably right about that.

 

[bramweld]

Davis and White had similar problem with Derek's choreography in 2014. Originally, Derek choreographed their 2014 SD (in its entirely) but some parts did not fit so Marina had to redo to make it work. Their original 2012 FD too was also changed and they ended skating to Johann Strauss 11 "Die Fledermaus". Najarro had,afterwards, not talked much about their FD, so it is possible there was a drastic change in the work to make it truly workable. Ice-dancing is very different from 'dance' and, understandably, changes are bound to happen in the work. It emulates dance movements and, sometimes, manages to depict semblance of the desired original movements - saw these with Latin Ice-dance performances. Charlie White noted in interviews how very different these two seemingly similar art-forms.

Yes. Very few skaters come to mind who can literally dance on ice, V/M for example.

 

[Astrid56]

Yes. Very few skaters come to mind who can literally dance on ice, V/M for example.

Very true. Virtue and Moir did dance on the Ice . So did Davis and White - their 2013 SD 'Giselle' ( https://youtu.be/7etC7yMjE-s ) was incredibly fantastic ... and both Olympic OD/SD - the Bollywood (https://youtu.be/f1zTUcOmtg4 ) and the Foxtrot-Quickstep (https://youtu.be/j0oRFRCUGdY ) .

These above-mentioned performances came to mind because they were fantastically performed _ very close to authentic movements, expressions ... interpretation. I love the quality of V/M skating more but these dances of the two (D/W) were too fantastic to ignore.

 

[Astrid56]

They have chosen ANDRE RIEU's - Dark Eyes ( https://youtu.be/b_2Cov0vbn0 ) and I think it's a perfect choice for a 'Ravensburger Waltz' ... Beautiful piece!

 

[seabm7]

Hannah Miller

SP: "Big Spender"/"Rich Man's Frug" from "Sweet Charity" (musical), choreo. by Rohene Ward

https://unseenskaters.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/2015-skate-detroit-live-video-stream/

The latest IceNetwork article says in the other way:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2015/08/25/145242544

Hannah Miller
SP Arabesque
LP A medley of well-known Puccini opera arias

both choreographed by Tom Dickson. I wonder if she changed the SP after Skate Detroit.

 

[anyanka]

I am excited about C/B's programs. It seems they are trying to create a niche uniquely their own. Antonio Najarro's expertise and Veronique Breen's are interesting backgrounds/bases to work from. There'll be definitely innovative movements and feel - risky, daring, and edgy and I hope will work for them.

Out of curiosity, has anyone in ice dance used the Rach 2? We've seen it so many times in the other disciplines: Mao, Daisuke Murakami, Mishkutenok / Dmitriev, Lu Chen, Midori Ito, just to name a few ... but I can't recall a dance team that's used it in competition.

I like C/B, and they made some great choices this year. Looking forward to seeing this!

 

[Astrid56]

Speaking of V/M, their edges are so great - soft (not a technical person but could see how deep those edges - no scratchiness) but I noticed they relied heavily on their chemistry, romantic lyricism ... while D/W tended to tell a story in a program and technical-brilliance (referring to organic execution of a particular movement/element which of course comes across as cold even indifferent). The Russians (I/Z) tend to be theatrical ... to the point of melodramatic (but no one in here seems critical of it while they're obsessed in labeling Madison Chock as melodramatic). Interesting! Obviously, one's 'likes' color one's perspective. Their FD to American in Paris was sophisticated and elegant but only P/C's FD is acknowledged as elegant ... beautiful. Of course, these two teams danced to two very different rhythms. Now, W/P's FD was typically Shaelene's _ not much 'content', more on beautiful movements almost reminding of Balanchine's style except that the latter was more innovative in the execution of classical movements (you are treated to beautiful movements, lines, forms without distinctive 'plot.').

So I love the soft, lyrical skating of V/M but I enjoy D/W's magical story-telling.

 

[Alba]

Soundhound says it is Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35: Allegro moderato

Does anyone have a link to scores from this competition?

That's definitely Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and finally somebody is skating to this. It's my all time favorites.

 

[Snow63]

The Russians (I/Z) tend to be theatrical ... to the point of melodramatic (but no one in here seems critical of it while they're obsessed in labeling Madison Chock as melodramatic). Interesting! Obviously, one's 'likes' color one's perspective.

A lot of people were critical of I/Z (especially Elena's) overdramatics in their FD of last season, seriously. I mean A LOT. Check the competitions threads.

 

[Astrid56]

Out of curiosity, has anyone in ice dance used the Rach 2? We've seen it so many times in the other disciplines: Mao, Daisuke Murakami, Mishkutenok / Dmitriev, Lu Chen, Midori Ito, just to name a few ... but I can't recall a dance team that's used it in competition.

I like C/B, and they made some great choices this year. Looking forward to seeing this!

I haven't seen one ... I think, it's because the music is more suited to a Single/Pairs program. Ice-dancing, I think, requires distinct dance beats to differentiate it from figure-skating. Igor mentioned adapting it "to suit the program [hence] ... does not follow the pattern of the piece". Definitely understandable, to make it work - to enable execution of the required ice-dance elements. I think that's where Breen's background would come in and I can't wait to see this dance. Igor is bold to do this but, I guess, the desire to be different compels such drastic measures.

 

[Alba]

The Russians (I/Z) tend to be theatrical ... to the point of melodramatic (but no one in here seems critical of it while they're obsessed in labeling Madison Chock as melodramatic). Interesting! Obviously, one's 'likes' color one's perspective.

I don't find either of them melodramatic (where was the melo in Carmen?), unless they have to be because the piece requires so. I think the best thing Madison has it's her performance. She could sell a crappy program as well. She and Elena are both the only two real divas on Ice, IMO. My criticism to C&B it's that both their FD's, Les Misérables and An American in Paris, looked the same to me. Igor does tend to use quite often similar movements in his programs. I thought their SD was much better last season and you could see there was a different person who made the choreography.

Out of curiosity, has anyone in ice dance used the Rach 2?

Not often in ID. Tobias&Stagniunas (another Igor's couple) skated to Rach.2 in 2012/2013 season.

 

[Astrid56]

A lot of people were critical of I/Z (especially Elena's) overdramatics in their FD of last season, seriously. I mean A LOT. Check the competitions threads.

I also noticed the comments on Elena's overdramatic tendencies but criticisms on Madison's style were particularly even blatantly rude. Considering the very obvious difference in personality and looks, C/B manage to perform well _ they're very engaging moving with ease and bravura. It's very interesting to see them so united ... 'together' in expressions but so very different in [physical] looks.

 

[Astrid56]

I don't find either of them melodramatic (where was the melo in Carmen?), unless they have to be because the piece requires so. I think the best thing Madison has it's her performance. She could sell a crappy program as well. She and Elena are both the only two real divas on Ice, IMO. My criticism to C&B it's that both their FD's, Les Misérables and An American in Paris, looked the same to me. Igor does tend to use quite often similar movements in his programs. I thought their SD was much better last season and you could see there was a different person who made the choreography.



Not often in ID. Tobias&Stagniunas (another Igor's couple) skated to Rach.2 in 2012/2013 season.

That's Igor's fault ... Also, I think because as a team they're still new ... and this newness limits versatility/diversity in expressions and movements. Back in the day (dancing years), I remember it took time to know your partner's style and 'connectedness' hinges very much on how comfortable you are with your partner's style and personality. Once you have achieved that level of comfort, you can easily adapt your style to your partner's. With Elena, she seems, sometimes, oblivious to her partner's level and style: her partner seems very patient and willing to conform ... adjust. Of course, I am very impressed with her excellent skating skills. She's definitely an elite ice-dancer.

 

[sses1]

In my opinion, Elena only goes into overdramatics when her programs suck, maybe as a distraction technique. Swan Lake and Carmen were great programs with a much more nunanced and engaging performance from Elena.

 

[bramweld]

That's Igor's fault ... Also, I think because as a team they're still new ... and this newness limits versatility/diversity in expressions and movements. Back in the day (dancing years), I remember it took time to know your partner's style and 'connectedness' hinges very much on how comfortable you are with your partner's style and personality. Once you have achieved that level of comfort, you can easily adapt your style to your partner's. With Elena, she seems, sometimes, oblivious to her partner's level and style: her partner seems very patient and willing to conform ... adjust. Of course, I am very impressed with her excellent skating skills. She's definitely an elite ice-dancer.

Madison and Elena are both elite ice dancers in terms of performance, whom you'll prefer will depend on personal tastes. In terms of skating skills alone however Madison and Lena are in two very different weight classes. Lena's skating skills as a 10 year old far exceeded many of the top skaters today, male or female. So no matter whom she skated with they would have to adjust. Igor when he trained Lena as a kid said it was almost impossible to pair her with anyone as she kept on outperforming every single one.

Of all her partners I find Ruslan the most impressive as he seems to be the only one who can comfortably adjust to skating with her. Ruslan has a very masculine elegance and refinement that is almost brutal. However at the same time he has the capacity to be tender. I have not seen that quality in any of the Russian male ice dancers in addition to his technical mastery.

I may not be a fan of C/B but I do enjoy great ice dancing. I wish them both well.

 

[sses1]

Madison and Elena are both elite ice dancers in terms of performance, whom you'll prefer will depend on personal tastes. In terms of skating skills alone however Madison and Lena are in two very different weight classes. Lena's skating skills as a 10 year old far exceeded many of the top skaters today, male or female. So no matter whom she skated with they would have to adjust. Igor when he trained Lena as a kid said it was almost impossible to pair her with anyone as she kept on outperforming every single one.

Of all her partners I find Ruslan the most impressive as he seems to be the only one who can comfortably adjust to skating with her. Ruslan has a very masculine elegance and refinement that is almost brutal. However at the same time he has the capacity to be tender. I have not seen that quality in any of the Russian male ice dancers in addition to his technical mastery.

I may not be a fan of C/B but I do enjoy great ice dancing. I wish them both well.

I can't think of one program where Ruslan was this intimating. He's always been a better skater than a performer. However, his partnership with Elena is making him into a better all around skater but I still don't see anything special though.