She had so many great programs. I'm just going to go ahead and rank the best performances of all of her competitive programs (not specifically taking technical merit into consideration), video links included:
LONG PROGRAMS
01.
Lyra Angelica,
1998 Nationals (impossible to replicate, there isn't an ounce of labor here, not a single position or edge or step out of place, everything is effortless and heavenly)
02.
Aranjeuz,
2003 Worlds (I've watched this more than any other ice skating performance ever. It is constantly uplifting, an understated dynamic quality throughout. That final layback is SO beautifully elegiac with the music, contrasted with ending the program by triumphantly raising her arms ever more upward, calmly standing there and beaming at the crowd on their feet. Perfect.)
03.
Salome,
1996 Worlds (one of the most beguiling performances in skating history; the brilliant interspersed choreographic movements are a perfect example of what has been lost by the current scoring system forcing such jam-packed footwork and spins into programs)
04.
Tosca,
2004 Nationals (This is such a great example of control and simmer. Yes, the choreography is relatively "simple", but look at how solid her blade always is, her posture, the nuances of her arm and foot positions - and that final footwork sequence and ending pose, replete with some of the most defiant arm flexing ever!)
05.
Ariane,
1998 World Pros (
or 1999 Nationals...she did her best Triple-Triple ever there! An immensely sophisticated program.)
06.
The Miraculous Mandarin,
2000/2001 GPF (it's too bad this was the only performance; a superb program that could have been phenomenal with more mileage -- I envisioned it as a 2004-2005 season program here:
CoP program for Kwan)
07.
Song of the Black Swan,
2001 Worlds (A lovely program, I was surprised to rank it relatively lower; in the past it was a couple spots higher when I did this list. That's what happens when you have so many masterpiece performances, though. This could have had more detail in a couple places and perhaps a bit less stereotypical of an ending. The judges were overscoring Slutskaya's empty programs, so it's understandable that Kwan in these years felt the need to focus more on speed. Still, this was so great that it made us actively dislike Carolina Kostner for 2 seasons in a row when she tried to skate to it.)
08.
The Red Violin,
2000 Worlds (This is probably the best she ever skated technically, so again it feels a little strange to put it relatively low. The program was a little too open and could have gone darker and more sorrowful with the choreography; it was more like that as an exhibition program. However, it's excellent anyway. I love how she seamlessly drops her free leg lower in the spiral sequence, keeps it steady in that position, and then raises it up again.)
09.
Scheherezade,
2002 Nationals (a very good program even if it wasn't one of her absolute best. To be honest, the fall at the Olympics was perfect with the music, because it was such a drawn-out and desperate attempted save on the landing that it invoked the sadness of the music in that moment with stunning clarity.)
10.
Taj Mahal,
1996 Skate America (
or 1997 Worlds, you decide - the program is somewhat of a Salome retread, but still very interesting and well-composed)
11.
Bolero,
2004 Campbells (this one performance of the program was a lot of fun and showed great potential...unfortunately every other version of the program after this was definitely the weakest LP of her career)
12.
Rondo Capriccioso,
1995 Worlds (a more jump-oriented program but still very nice; her joy at the end is brilliant!)
13.
East of Eden compilation,
1994 Worlds (13 years old and already so composed and attuned to performing!)
SHORT PROGRAMS
01.
Romanza,
1996 Worlds (begins with exquisite heart-pulsing elegance and transitions into fantastic upbeat flair, I love the mixture)
02.
Spartacus,
2005 Nationals (It's impossible for me to not think of this performance when I hear this music. It's such a glorious journey of emotions. Look at how effective her "simple" combination spin and layback are. The footwork sequence has gorgeous flow, feeding right out of a spiral sequence that was one of the best-placed elements to music of all time. And that ending, giving so much time to close out the program with a regal assuredness!)
03.
East of Eden,
2001 Worlds (Effervescent is the word. It has a nostalgic quality to it as well, creating the feeling of sunshine and friendship overcoming adversity. Sublime.)
04.
Rachmaninoff,
1998 Nationals (
although I like the dress and layback better in 2002. A splendid program, no doubt. It has introspective depth and joy. Just
slightly less overwhelming to me in comparison to the others.)
05.
Dream of Desdemona,
1997 Japan Open (Superb throughout, some surprising transitions. The last spin could have used more dynamic arm usage to make the ending even more impactful.)
06.
A Day in the Life,
2000 Worlds (An excellent program that didn't get enough credit, a different look for her. Only criticism is after the change of edge in the spiral she could have used her arms better with the music)
07.
The Last Temptation of Christ,
2003 Worlds (An earthy, boiling kind of feeling is projected here. Really great, I just would have adjusted the footwork sequence a bit to have less hops and more turns, and the ending is very slightly off. Difficult music to exactly time an ending to, though.)
08.
Rush,
2000 Masters (A very nice, laid-back program. Ultimately the spiral sequence just doesn't have a great home with the music)
09.
Carmen,
1999 Nationals (The program has a couple great moments and good attention to detail as usual, but overall was a bit too classy for its own good. And in the end...it's Carmen.)
10.
Yellow River Piano Concerto,
1995 Worlds (14 year old Michelle growing in her style. Solid effort all-around)
11.
Totentanz,
2005 Marshalls (It's not exactly fair to include this, but it's notable to see the hindrances of the new scoring system on her skating. There were better ways to choreograph in favor of what she could do best and serve the rules, but people didn't understand it well enough at the time. The footwork sequence here and overall style was interesting to see, though.)
12.
Song of India + Sabre Dance,
1994 Nationals (isn't especially remarkable, she's just 13 years old, but pleasant to see tiny Michelle anyway)
Plus a special mention because it is AMAZING,
Pocahontas at 1996 Ultimate Four. Definitely my favorite professional competitive program of hers. Phenomenally soulful and lyrical.
And why not throw in the uber-emotional
Fields of Gold while we're at it. Sigh.
As a Maria Butyrskaya fan, I watched Michelle very closely starting in 1995 as she was one of Maria's huge rivals. I saw Michelle perform live in 1999 in Helsinki and again in 2001 in Vancouver. Michelle did not skate well in 1999 and I think she fell on a double axel. I'm not sure but someone will know. In 2001 Michelle was the clear winner. However, I was not a fan of Irina's LP and had she not won the SP, I would have placed her 4th and put Maria on the podium in 3rd pushing Sarah up to the Silver. I just checked and I was right. Michelle fell on a double axel in the SP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta04kTVj2DU
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