2015-2016 Programs by Discipline

[LRK]

Good Lord, I cannot STOMACH PoTO. Or Cats. Or any Andrew Lloyd Webber concoction with the exception of Evita. I've turned down numerous free tix to his shows over the years--and I'm someone who thinks "free" is the best four-letter word in the English language. Mucus in the Night. Ptooey I say.

Oh, dear.... Love it.

I think I might quite possibly be allergic to Andrew Lloyd Webber music - it just seems to rub me the wrong way, somehow...

 

[Rissa]

This is totally subjective, though. I absolutely hate "Music of the Night" and I know I'm not the only one.

The thing is, you're not the only consumer. These pieces ARE popular because there are loads of peole who like them and that makes choosing it worthwhile to the skaters. My mother was only too happy to watch Kanako and Mura and Yuzuru because she's always liked POTO. (And if skaters went through the entire Carmen, she'd be over the moon.) For me, Music of the Night is one of two goid pieces of POTO, I adore all of the music of Les Miz, and don't like Cat's at all. Angsty love songs are awful, IMO, but I'm aware that they are popular and there will be people who will enjoy them. It's about wide appeal, not about ME ME ME. If it was all about me, I'd be bitching about jazz which I hate, but I do realize I'm not yhe only one listening and watching.

 

[TheGrandSophy]

Something like Nessun Dorma is not only popular, but it is perfect for that rousing 'hairs on the back of my neck are going up, OMG! Let me stand and give this performer an ovation' moment for the end of the programme that doesn't exactly hurt a skater. Watch the end of Shen and Zhao's 2003 Worlds' FS and it is unsurprising that music like this gets used a lot.

 

[silverfoxes]

The thing is, you're not the only consumer. These pieces ARE popular because there are loads of peole who like them and that makes choosing it worthwhile to the skaters. My mother was only too happy to watch Kanako and Mura and Yuzuru because she's always liked POTO. (And if skaters went through the entire Carmen, she'd be over the moon.) For me, Music of the Night is one of two goid pieces of POTO, I adore all of the music of Les Miz, and don't like Cat's at all. Angsty love songs are awful, IMO, but I'm aware that they are popular and there will be people who will enjoy them. It's about wide appeal, not about ME ME ME. If it was all about me, I'd be bitching about jazz which I hate, but I do realize I'm not yhe only one listening and watching.

Popularity and quality have little to do with each other. The "Macarena" was popular once....would you have liked to see 10 Macarena programs one season? Besides, the only way people can ever appreciate something new is if they get the chance to hear it. I am a Yuzuru fan, but my dislike of POTO made it almost impossible to enjoy his FS program last season. I don't know anything about the music he chose for this new program, but I loved it right away. I'm so glad he is taking a risk and NOT using another warhorse. And again, I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

We're allowed to dislike music here on the forum...it's nice to commiserate with other POTO haters. On the positive/constructive side, lots of people make suggestions for creative non-warhorse programs. I can only hope that skaters and choreographers lurk those threads once in awhile.

 

[Rissa]

Popularity and quality have little to do with each other. The "Macarena" was popular once....would you have liked to see 10 Macarena programs one season?

Ah, but the thing is, unlike Macarena, POTO wasn't popular once. It still is popular, which means it's retained popularity for 30 years. Some of the warhorses have retained popularity for 100-200 years. We might not care for some of them, but if something stands the test of time, it speaks volumes about it's appeal. Some people will scoff at the quality of ABBA for decades to come, and yet it'll still be listened to.

 

[ice coverage]

I'm reading all those comments about warhorses and expanding... There is a reason why warhorses are warhorses. It's good music. There is a reason why the most popular song in a musical/opera/movie is the most popular: it's better. ... Usually B-sides are B-sides because they are not as good as A-sides and lesser known pieces by great composers are lesser known because they are not as captivating as well-known one. Why would I want to listen (or watch or dance a routine to) to a lesser known part of a soundrack when the truly beautiful/awesome one is available?... .

The thing is, you're not the only consumer. These pieces ARE popular because there are loads of peole who like them and that makes choosing it worthwhile to the skaters. ... (And if skaters went through the entire Carmen, she'd be over the moon.) ... It's about wide appeal, not about ME ME ME. If it was all about me, I'd be bitching about jazz which I hate, but I do realize I'm not yhe only one listening and watching.

:agree: Absolutely agree with Moria. I love hearing Carmen every single time , for example.

Everything is in the eye/ear of the beholder.
In my case, I am horrified that some of my favorite skaters have chosen the music of a singer who is a huge turn-off for me -- but who (inexplicably, IMO ) is popular in the world at large.

 

[Krunchii]

It's not creative though, we have like a million programs where they used Music of the Night as the climax, it's not creative, it's repetitive and boring. Like I'm okay with using iconic parts to familiarize the music to the audience but it's always the same cuts. There's no variety.

 

[shiroKJ]

It's not creative though, we have like a million programs where they used Music of the Night as the climax, it's not creative, it's repetitive and boring. Like I'm okay with using iconic parts to familiarize the music to the audience but it's always the same cuts. There's no variety.

Skaters should be able to skate to what they like, whether its good or bad. They only get to do so many programs during the span of their amateur career. If they don't connect with the music, what is the point? I mean I can understand fans not liking a specific music or cut but at the end of the day, we're not the ones who have to listen to it almost everyday for months on end, practicing and skating to it. And maybe some skaters chose to skate to warhorses because it holds a meaning to them, who knows.

 

[owl]

Ah, but the thing is, unlike Macarena, POTO wasn't popular once. It still is popular, which means it's retained popularity for 30 years. Some of the warhorses have retained popularity for 100-200 years. We might not care for some of them, but if something stands the test of time, it speaks volumes about it's appeal. Some people will scoff at the quality of ABBA for decades to come, and yet it'll still be listened to.

I totally agree with what you're saying, but I also think that there's a limit. The reason why I tend to dislike warhorses is not because I don't like the music itself, but because I don't like the overuse of it. To use an example from pop culture, I love the song "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson. It's catchy, it's upbeat, it's fun. But I don't like it right now because the radio has overplayed it. Will I love it after a year of not hearing it? Of course, because I love the song. This is the same attitude I have towards warhorses. I love pretty much all the music for Les Mis, but if I hear another "I Dreamed a Dream" in a program, I'm going to tear my eyes out

 

[MaxSwagg]

Skaters should be able to skate to what they like, whether its good or bad. They only get to do so many programs during the span of their amateur career. If they don't connect with the music, what is the point? I mean I can understand fans not liking a specific music or cut but at the end of the day, we're not the ones who have to listen to it almost everyday for months on end, practicing and skating to it. And maybe some skaters chose to skate to warhorses because it holds a meaning to them, who knows.

Completely agree. If a skater loves POTO, why shouldn't they be able to use it? And for myself, if I like the music once, I'm probably going to like it over and over and over again.

 

[LRK]

Well, POTO lovers have had one season long POTO enjoyment-fest - I think us POTO haters should be allowed to gripe a litle bit.

As for warhorses in general? I don't mind the warhorses I like - but detest the ones I don't. For me, it's an entirely subjective matter.

 

[actualrealliveanna]

It's not creative though, we have like a million programs where they used Music of the Night as the climax, it's not creative, it's repetitive and boring. Like I'm okay with using iconic parts to familiarize the music to the audience but it's always the same cuts. There's no variety.

Personally, I love it when they use the specific piece of music you're talking about (not Music of The Night, it's the finale, The Phantom just sings 'it's over now the music of the night' and it has the same melody) for the climax. It's the most stunning part of the stage musical, and it moves me to tears everytime. When I saw the show live I started to sob! It;s very emotional, and skaters like Akiko and Yuzu really hit it out of the park performance wise during that segment. Plus since its the finale of the show, so it makes sense for skaters to use it as the finale of the program

Also, in my opinion, every program is creative in its own right. Each skater brings something new to the table. Even with warhorses.

 

[actualrealliveanna]

I'm reading all those comments about warhorses and expanding... There is a reason why warhorses are warhorses. It's good music. There is a reason why the most popular song in a musical/opera/movie is the most popular: it's better. As somebody posted once, if you're choising POTO, you'd better include Music of the Night because it's the best part of it. Usually B-sides are B-sides because they are not as good as A-sides and lesser known pieces by great composers are lesser known because they are not as captivating as well-known one. Why would I want to listen (or watch or dance a routine to) to a lesser known part of a soundrack when the truly beautiful/awesome one is available? Not everything is Carmen or Swan Lake that is great throught and when it is, all of it is most likely a warhorse anyway.

I agree with you completely, Moria! There's a reason popular things are popular; a lot of people like them. I, personally, love POTO, though I think it was a bit overdone this season. But every program was beautiful! I'm also a fan of Swan Lake because it is simply gorgeous, and I'm sure others would agree!

 

[Layback11]

U

I'm also a fan of Swan Lake because it is simply gorgeous, and I'm sure others would agree!

Oooh, me! There's a girl at my rink who skates to it and it makes me all "YAAAAAAH I WILL LAND THAT IMPOSSIBLE JUMP TO THIS MUSIC BECAUSE IT IS SO AWESOME!!" Every time she does her program.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I'm pretty open to musical selections myself. I'm not against warhorses or lesser known choices. I don't like being bombarded though and that's the best way I can describe the POTO craze last season.


I've noticed a girl around my rink skating to one of the famous tracks from the Sochi season. The song isn't as important here but rather the feeling that girl gets and how she is IMO drawing a connection between herself, the music, and a skater she admires. Even later on as people get older (ehermm....more mature ) I still think it's a pretty beautiful concept to strive to capture a moment like that and have the courage to share it with whoever is willing to be open to it. I like to tell myself even the skaters at the top of the field are capable of reconnecting with that youthful passion every once in a while.

 

[WeakAnkles]

I competed in public speaking in high school. One of the events was poetry. I went into a round, and there 6 people performing Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven." And me, reading some Frank O'Hara poems. I felt so sorry for the poor judge, who came up to me after the round and said, "Thank you for NOT doing another Poe poem." So yes, I won the round. I thought about that last Worlds after the 2978784359345789345th PoTO and 2983457895494534 Carmen. "Hey you--doing the Sesame Street Theme Song Music. Come up and get that gold medal, just for not subjecting us to PoTO or Carmen AGAIN!"

 

[Jaana]

I am a Yuzuru fan, but my dislike of POTO made it almost impossible to enjoy his FS program last season. I don't know anything about the music he chose for this new program, but I loved it right away. I'm so glad he is taking a risk and NOT using another warhorse. And again, I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

I guess I´m a lucky person as I have no such restrictions to hamper my enjoyment of skating regarding the music skaters are using :shocked:. I prefer to take each performance as a unique one, as the choreography to any popular music is always different and new to me.

 

[noskates]

For me it's not so much the warhorse as it is for someone to be skating to what I consider inappropriate music for either their style or their age or their ability. I think Karen Chen has a lot of promise but skating to The Godfather was just wrong. It was too strong of a piece for her IMO. Some of the junior skaters that skate to POTO or Les Miz or Carmen....music overpowers them. Sometimes I think the coaches or choreographers already have the music cut and timed and it's just easy for them. I think you can tell when a skater "feels" the music and is able to time their jumps and spins and footwork with the passages of the piece. That should be the criteria for picking music - does the skater feel it? Does it mean something to them? I think one of the reasons (there were many) that Davis and White and Virtue and Moir were sooooo good was their interpretation of their music. It added an extra element. Some of the pieces Daisuke skated to - you just knew he was feeling every note and it came out in his skating. There are many more examples.....

 

[Layback11]

Not one of the big warhorses yet: Carmen, POTO, Swan Lake, Rach 2, Scheherazade, R & J...looking good! Even if we get a Les Mis and/or Gatsby epidemic, at least they're less used as of yet and would be fresher, even if tons of people skated to it.

 

[Blades of Passion]

I guess I´m a lucky person as I have no such restrictions to hamper my enjoyment of skating regarding the music skaters are using :shocked:. I prefer to take each performance as a unique one, as the choreography to any popular music is always different and new to me.

Heh, I wouldn't call most of the choreography we saw in the POTO programs last year "different and new". That's really the problem. Hanyu's choreography was nearly identical to his program the year before, just the order of a few elements was swapped.