I agree. I actually like their pattern too.
From what I've seen so far Cappellini/Lanotte have best RW pattern. Perfect musicality and timing, but maybe it's just me.
It's not just you. If I had to select the best SD of the season thus far, it is C&L's. For me, the
real challenge of the OD/SD has always been to skate the selected rhythm
so well that you stand out from the crowd through the excellence of that style. Rarely are the winning OD/SD's a rehash of previously winning music selections, but neither are they "different." They stand out because they are the
ultimate performance of that style of the dance. The Merry Widow isn't overused. Neither is it "modern." It is charming, light, fast--all the things I identify with a Ravensburger Waltz. And it is done with a level of confidence and perfection that makes it sing. There is nothing tired about this SD and the viewer doesn't have to be familiar with the cover of a Beatles album to understand the program. It is a
waltz, and it is gorgeous.
I think Amantide is correct that the rules are open to many interpretations of waltz music this season. But I don't see this as any form of advocation for more modern or less-traditional waltzes. Rather as an opportunity to explore those if one wishes. (I think teams may be leaning this way because there was so much fan criticism of the warhorse selections in the FD in dance last season, but I do not see anything within the rules advocating it). And I tend to think Amantide may also be correct in that those dancers who do not follow the trend may benefit by standing out from the pack. But I would argue there is
no indication that skating anything other a superior form of the required dance will win. Go through the winning ODs & SDs from the past and you will not find one that screams "different." You will find many that scream "superior."
I also think the rules for the SD--demanding more than one rhythm--lead to a common issue with disjointed programs. This is not the dancers' fault, but it is a challenge they must face; and once again, historically I find that the strongest dance teams find a way to blend the different styles into a cohesive whole.
There are still many teams to see: the Shibs, Weaver & Poje, Papadakis & Cizeron, & Coomes & Buckland will all have their say. I'm very much looking forward to the unveiling.
With regard to all of the "different" waltzes we have seen thus far, I will confess that I am very impressed with McNamara & Carpenter's. I wasn't at all keen on the idea at the beginning. (I am not a big fan of In the Hall of the Mountain King). And as they are juniors, this is not a Ravensburger Waltz so it's not a real comparison with the senior dances. But to my surprise, the program does
work. They are exactly themselves: fast, quirky, strong. TBH, the entire dance knocked my socks off. There is an advantage to knowing who you are as a team. I canNOT imagine any other U.S. junior dance team selling this program. When you're young and coming up in the ranks--by which I would include senior teams fighting their way into the top ten--standing out from the pack is often done by being different. I don't think it's the way to the TOP of the podium. But it can get people to realize you have something special and
one day you may have the goods to fight for that top spot.
(even though I love V/T, I like this SP more than their indian dance)
