Denis' program this year isn't as memorable to me as last year. It looks like some standard Classical 101 program that Lori picked out of a hat. That said, he's a gorgeous skater that he makes it work anyway. The camera work in these competition usually isn't the best but the fact that he makes everything look flawless even under crappy technology is really a testament of his talent.
This is the video of Denis' SP at the NWR a week ago. The angle is better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfM9Gl5J87Q
I was deeply moved by his NRW performance. Surprisingly he received the lowest PCS (39.07!!) of his past two seasons. It is a heavy music, not received to the judges and audiences as easily as let's say You raise me up(SP) or
Titanic(LP) of Jorik HENDRICKX (winner at the NRW). But I don't think it is just a random choice of classical music.
(I did a little bit of a homework out of curiosity. I didn't know his music except "santo santo ..." in the LP)
He and his team chose Misa Tango by Luis Bacalov, a mass in a tango style. Out of 5 parts, they picked Kyrie for the SP and Sanctus for the LP.
(I listened to five of them, if there is any mixed cuts, please let me know)
Kyrie (¡Señor, ten piedad de nosotros!)
Gloria (¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas y a los hombres en la tierra paz! Te alabamos, te bendecimos, Señor, Dios Rey celestial.)
Credo (Yo creo en un único Dios todo poderoso, Creador del cielo y de la tierra. Amen.)
Sanctus (Santo, santo, santo, Señor Dios del universo. Llenos estàn los Cielos y la tierra de tu gloria.)
Agnus Dei (Cordero de Dios, que quitas los pecados del mundo. ¡ Ah ! Ten piedad de nosotros, da nos la paz.)
Misa Tango is based on the Latin ordinary of the Catholic mass but written in Spanish. it combines in a entirely satisfying unity, what might be considered disparate elements, different musical genres, crating a nostalgic but joyful musical texture, stressing the Tango own character.
Some might think it is ridiculous that we have to look for the music, before a music comes to us in order to enjoy skating. I understand that, too. Denis owns/feels/interprets the music, yet he needs to project to the audience better. It will be extra hard because it is grand, complex, and not self-explanatory(Caruso was easy relatively). Unfortunately, I don't know how well he has improved on his presentation in a week due to the lack of quality footages . As a Denis' fan I am slightly reserved with the Golden Spin video clip, but hopeful because he skates clean and the PCS is raised by 1.78 (he should have done something right).
I am proud of Denis, who doesn't want to use music as a backdrop, but pick the inspiring piece of music to elevate his artistry and his skating together. Downside though is the music is too grand that his skating can be a backdrop, if not done correctly.
Edit: I watched the link Interspectator posted. Thank you! I changed my opinion on this performance - I love it! he is awesome!
about his PCS though; only 41.85.
So glad I'm not the only one who noticed that!
the prog is epic! never tired of it!
