2015-2016 Programs by Discipline

[RemyRose]

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte
SD waltz and polka from the operetta The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar
FD medley of Fellini soundtracks by Nino Rota incl The Nights of Cabiria, Amarcord and 8 1/2

Source: http://www.icenetwork.com/news/2015/07/29/139448420

 

[bramweld]

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte
SD waltz and polka from the operetta The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar
FD medley of Fellini soundtracks by Nino Rota incl The Nights of Cabiria, Amarcord and 8 1/2

Source: http://www.icenetwork.com/news/2015/07/29/139448420

Their choices are lovely and a perfect match for them. I hope they have successful programs.

 

[OS]

Gracie's California Sunshine Firebird move.... Looking good!!

http://instagram.com/p/5s1KWZrAnf/

 

[silverfoxes]

What exactly do people want Polina to do, since she gets ripped to shreds no matter what? I have no dog in this fight, but I don't understand people complaining about a program that they haven't even seen. Ok, complaints about the music can be understandable, but how do you know what it's going to look like or whether she can sell it? She just turned 17 - do people assume she isn't capable of developing more artistry at that age? Really? The reactions are so over-the-top, but maybe you all know something I don't.

 

[cheerknithanson]

What exactly do people want Polina to do, since she gets ripped to shreds no matter what? I have no dog in this fight, but I don't understand people complaining about a program that they haven't even seen. Ok, complaints about the music can be understandable, but how do you know what it's going to look like or whether she can sell it? She just turned 17 - do people assume she isn't capable of developing more artistry at that age? Really? The reactions are so over-the-top, but maybe you all know something I don't.

Yeah.....I don't understand either. It's like someone trying to change who they are and no matter what, it isn't good enough...like people bullying or harassing others.

 

[bramweld]

Yeah.....I don't understand either. It's like someone trying to change who they are and no matter what, it isn't good enough...like people bullying or harassing others.

It's not as bad as all that, is it? Some persons have simply expressed their reservations. Isn't this what you do on a thread of this nature? Besides many have also said they will reserve judgement till after seeing the program. So let's not be too melodramatic, there are so many other program music choices to consider; Anna and Luca for example.

 

[Ice Dance]

One can do a good job skating to soundtrack music even without the intent of playing a specific role from the movie, as long as the music is being adequately interpreted.

Normally, I might agree with you. But for what is often considered the greatest role and the greatest film of all time. No. I don't think so.

I really like Polina. She has the potential to be my favorite American ladies skater in the future, as does Karen Chen. I absolutely love that Polina is trying to expand her repertoire beyond the ethereal look and attempting to tackle a program with more personality and fire. BUT this is Gone With the Wind. It's not your average soundtrack. It's not your average role. It hasn't been done exceptionally well by any skater at any level yet, IMO. (Though I would LOVE to see that program). If you think you're going to go out on the ice and not be compared to Scarlett and Vivien Leigh, then you're definitely underestimating the impact that role has had on the general public. The judges may not care, but the audience will.

I have to admit I will be shocked if Polina can pull it off. But I will be rooting for her 100%. And even if she can't do the role justice, the selection may help her stand out from the other U.S. ladies this season and grow as a performer, which would be a great plus.

 

[WeakAnkles]

So your claim that this is the wrong music choice is mostly based on the way Polina looks vs the way Vivian Leigh looked, which I suppose is what most people envision Scarlet to look like? What music SHOULD skaters with light skin tone and color skate to, anyway?

You could not be more wrong. It has nothing to do with how she looks, but the kind of persona she projects on the ice. Bramweld got what I meant. And yes LeCygne, I'm all for people trying new things and branching out and going for a more mature style. But this is the wrong vehicle to do that with. Like I said, Max Steiner wrote some of the most iconic scores in Hollywood history. Hell, Mildred Pierce is a great score. Now, Voyager, where the timid mouse blossoms into a beautiful and commanding Bette Davis would be a much better fit. You need someone sexy and willful and dangerous to play Scarlet (there is a reason why you find out just before Melanie dies that Ashley's entire attraction to Scarlet is fundamentally sexual). Those are not words that come to mind when I think of Polina's skating--she has other qualities. It isn't a value judgment. Samantha Cesario would have been a wonderful Scarlet. Yes, I can see Illinkyh doing a good job as Scarlet. But there is such a thing as range, and I fear Scarlet is out of Polina's.

YMMV of course. But I'm sticking to what I say. And it's not something as shallow as physical appearance. Polina has her own kind of striking looks.

ETA: Ice Dance, above, gets what I mean. And I totally totally agree with that post. 117%

 

[humbaba]

It's a bit tiresome that skaters and skating fans alike have gotten so literal about referencing the source of musical pieces. It once was more common that a skater using the score from a movie, ballet, or musical, approached it as a piece of music in its own right independent of its source. Now everybody has to play the character, tell the story, ape the character's costumes, etc. Not sure all that has resulted in better programs.

As for Polina, I'm a tad disappointed in GWTW for her FS. But it's her choice. I'll be pulling for her. I'm not wringing my hands about whether or not Polina can convincingly portray Scarlett. Frankly, most skaters aren't convincing when portraying dramatic characters. The skating world isn't full of Streeps, Brandos and Oliviers. It's more like high school drama club and community theater.

I don't think Polina's lack of physical resemblance to Vivian Leigh is a deal breaker; though, it's true that Leigh immediately comes to mind when the Tara theme begins. After all, Vivian Leigh didn't much resemble Scarlett as she was described in the novel. Leigh was a classic beauty, whereas Margaret Mitchell described Scarlett as not being a conventional beauty. Instead, it was her charm and her strong, confident, feisty personality that made her attractive. That's why Bette Davis was the early favorite to snag the Scarlett role. She was much more the embodiment of the novel's Scarlett than Leigh. Unfortunately, Davis was under contract to a rival studio and they wouldn't loan her out for the part. Such a pity.

Maybe Polina should read and draw inspiration from the novel GWTW rather than the movie. Read the novel and then watch Bette Davis in Jezebel. Scarlett was a bad-azz and it will be fun to see Polina try to capture her essence.

 

[shine]

You could not be more wrong. It has nothing to do with how she looks, but the kind of persona she projects on the ice. Bramweld got what I meant.

Really? So this was supposed to be a metaphor for her on ice personality?

I'm big on color /season theory for people. Polina looks to me like an early spring, so yes, the pastels and softer pinks etc are a good match for her skin tone. Jewel tones are going to swallow her up. Just like her music this season. It's like Moby Dick on ice. !!!

Frankly, I am not concerned with whether she can successfully portray Scarlett or what people perceive Scarlett to be, even if she has specifically said that she intends to play the role. As a skating fan, musical interpretation comes first and character portrayal is only secondary for me. Sometimes character playing helps a skater with interpretation, but in the end it's the music that matters. Here's an important question: does the MUSIC from this particular soundtrack suggest sultriness and sassiness if you didn't know that it came from this particular movie? I'm leaning toward no. Also, if she had not said anything about playing the role, but picked the music simply because she likes the tune, would it change the viewers perception of the program in anyway?

 

[gravy]

Gracie's California Sunshine Firebird move.... Looking good!!

http://instagram.com/p/5s1KWZrAnf/

That #RIPprincess hashtag. #GoGracie

And Polina!

 

[Alba]

Frankly, I am not concerned with whether she can successfully portray Scarlett or what people perceive Scarlett to be, even if she has specifically said that she intends to play the role. As a skating fan, musical interpretation comes first and character portrayal is only secondary for me. Sometimes character playing helps a skater with interpretation, but in the end it's the music that matters. Here's an important question: does the MUSIC from this particular soundtrack suggest sultriness and sassiness if you didn't know that it came from this particular movie? I'm leaning toward no.

True, I agree in principle. However, you can not deny that some music, especially those from a movie, are too much connected/identified with the character and the story of that particular movie. GOTW is one of them and Scarlet O'Hara is huge. It's like you start with the first notes and you have her in mind. Just like the SC the holocaust comes in mind, although it's a beautiful music on it's own. Matrix for me is the same.

Also, if she had not said anything about playing the role, but picked the music simply because she likes the tune, would it change the viewers perception of the program in anyway?

I don't think so. Not with this music.

 

[Alba]

Kovtun LP medley of Beethoven's Symphony No.5, Pachelbel's Canon and Beethoven's Symphony No.9 source https://instagram.com/p/5tT_NdiBYg/

That music choices sounds more like a suicide mission to me. Too grandiose music for any of the best skaters in the World, let alone Kovtun. And really, what on earth is going on with that head and arm movements like he's skating to Figaro or something? :hopelessness:

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte
SD waltz and polka from the operetta The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar
FD medley of Fellini soundtracks by Nino Rota incl The Nights of Cabiria, Amarcord and 8 1/2

Source: http://www.icenetwork.com/news/2015/07/29/139448420

Same old thing from them. Meh...

Gracie's California Sunshine Firebird move.... Looking good!!

http://instagram.com/p/5s1KWZrAnf/

Love that. She's flying.

What exactly do people want Polina to do, since she gets ripped to shreds no matter what? I have no dog in this fight, but I don't understand people complaining about a program that they haven't even seen. Ok, complaints about the music can be understandable, but how do you know what it's going to look like or whether she can sell it? She just turned 17 - do people assume she isn't capable of developing more artistry at that age? Really? The reactions are so over-the-top, but maybe you all know something I don't.

Seriously now, what do you expect people to discuss about in a topic for new programs. We haven't seen any of the programs but we still discuss about them. I wasn't convinced about some music choices last season (including my favorite ID team) and they proved me wrong. That's great but it's the purpose of this topic and also the fan fest in this period. We do discuss about new programs and before watching them we have the music choice and our imagination to work with.

I'm pretty sure the Kerrs did a Matrix program at some point, too.

ETA: Yes! Their 2004 FD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f2tGX1slAE

Oh yes, the Kerrs. How on earth did I miss that program?! I loved it.

 

[witcher]

It's a bit tiresome that skaters and skating fans alike have gotten so literal about referencing the source of musical pieces. It once was more common that a skater using the score from a movie, ballet, or musical, approached it as a piece of music in its own right independent of its source.

It was before Julia Lipnitskaya stepped on the ice in her red coat and crushed people's (and Spielberg's) hearts with this: http://tinyurl.com/plvahcd
Now many skater wants to repeat it. In one interview several months after Sochi Adelina was asked, what could be the possible goals in her career after winning Olympic gold - she answered she wants to make people in the arena cry.

Like here...
https://youtu.be/R-3wHsGFXAU?t=266

 

[actualrealliveanna]

I agree with all the people who have reservations about Polina as Scarlett. Her on ice style has not yet proved to be as firey as the character she plans to portray. But I'm excited to see what she does with it! Beautiful music, and I'm sure she'll have a lovely program, I just hope she'll make a good Scarlett.

Also, GRACIE!!!! You go, girl.

 

[WeakAnkles]

True, I agree in principle. However, you can not deny that some music, especially those from a movie, are too much connected/identified with the character and the story of that particular movie. GOTW is one of them and Scarlet O'Hara is huge. It's like you start with the first notes and you have her in mind. Just like the SC the holocaust comes in mind, although it's a beautiful music on it's own. Matrix for me is the same.



I don't think so. Not with this music.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

In one interview several months after Sochi Adelina was asked, what could be the possible goals in her career after winning Olympic gold - she answered she wants to make people in the arena cry.

Like here...
https://youtu.be/R-3wHsGFXAU?t=266

Well....I'm not sure if the skater doing most of the crying still counts

I would love to see a skater...any skater(!).... put so much emotion and heart into seeing their scores come up. What a moment that was. I think the most likely candidate to have a similar reaction would be Mariah Bell or maybe even Julia herself if she can overcome last season with a good skate. Maybe Jason Brown too because he seems to genuinely appreciate his scores when they're given. Zijun Li maybe has the making for a tear jerker K-n-C. Come on FS world.....give me a huge moment of personal triumph this year.

 

[mikaboo]

Kanako Murakami
SP El Tango de Roxanne

Rin Nitaya
SP Red Violin (Aranjuez); choreography by Akiko Suzuki
FS Romeo & Juliet (Nino Rota) keeping from last season; choreography by Miho Kawaume

ETA: choreographers
Wakaba Higuchi JPN
SP Mambo Fantasy; choreography by Nanami Abe
LP Mask of Zorro soundtrack; choreography by Noriko Sato

 

[OS]

Kanako Murakami
SP El Tango de Roxanne

Ooo Kanako!! You are brave lol!

I am reserving my judgement with Polina's Frankly my naysayers, I don't give a d@mn. May be she will surprise us! Although the legendary role of Scarlett O'Hara is overwhelmingly impressionable, but I have sat through enough kiddie Carmens to give everybody a chance at this point.

As for Adelina... no need to be too ambitious, she is already successful at making many cry at the Arena likely

 

[witcher]

Well....I'm not sure if the skater doing most of the crying still counts

Lol - the context was obviously that she wanted viewers to be moved emotionally.