well, I was not there for quite some time, but want to thank you all for updates and photos
lately, while re-watching some of Satoko's programs/performances (and other Japanese skaters in general, e.g. Daisuke Takahashi, Akiko, Mao, Nobunari, Takahito Kozuka, Tatsuki Machida), I realized that with her (or Japaese skaters in general), the music choice is not that relevant for me as it seems with some other skaters. There is something very distinctive, stylish and 'pliant' in a way Satoko works with every music she used so far - for me, it is always a point of departure, a start point into story told by her performance, through her skating and expression, not the defining feature of her. There's that great mature sensibility about the music Satoko represents in my opinion, which makes every piece she's using a great platform for her skating - it is enhancing Satoko's skating, her presence, at the same time not losing its appeal musically.
I can understand the disappointment expressed over not using 'Planets' FS again - it was a beautiful, strong, powerful piece, but what is hard for me to comprehend is the amount of critic and personal conviction poured over 'Madame Butterfly' FS choice of music. As a FS viewer, my personal feeling about musical choices announced are pretty neutral until I see the final effect coming from skater - of course, I can say if some pieces chosen are unusual, rare to hear in FS, or opposite way - if some piece is a frequently used one. But the thing is for me - especially about those 'warhorse' pieces of music - that I decided some time ago to look at those programs with frequently used music as a potentially new dimention to be presented by particular skater and a 'challenge' for him/her to make the music and the program theirs, instead of compaining about 'warhorse' musical choice or straight away comparing the choice alone (which is an absurd thing itself lol) to others who used the music in the past. For me personally, it tells more abot people voicing such opinions than skaters who made those choices.
'Madame Butterfly' is a piece where Satoko will be able to use her experience already acquired, build on all she skated/learned and performed so far and add herself even more. The piece has a space to make up a story fitted to her personality and abilities, to make up a story she will be able to tell herself, not through other skaters who did the piece in the past. That's my opinion and I can't wait to see FS debut and how it will grow during the season.