Patrick Chan
SP: Dust in the wind by Kansas
LP: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
Source
Gosh darn it Patrick, you're gonna make me cry.
Patrick wil definitely make us cry. (He already did with Elegy.)
However, to me Patrick's beauty and artistry starts at the blade and works its way up. I hope he will be telling the audience and the judges, "Don't cry, just check out this footwork -- Hallelujah!"
The Jeff Buckley version seems to be a more personal version and less frills and orchestrations than other versions. It may not be "powerful" in terms of production, but it's raw and simple. I think that's the feeling Patrick wants to give the audience.
well, I have no wonder over those Patrick choices being not exactly controversial, but more like polarizing - the songs themselves (especially 'Hallelujah' version) is not everyone's cup of tea and moreover - most of us already have projected (or more like wished) that Patrick will do at least one classical piece as a master of that genre. But as I wrote in some other thread - I totally refuse to make any pre-judgement over his PROGRAMS based only on musical choices. When I see it, I'll make an opinion. Music could evoke some feelings in me or nothing at all, skating to it - it's just entirely different story to tell in my case.
Two little cents from me about those choices, in a light of your quotations above - even if I have not yet seen the programs, I already can tell (and agree with
Mathman and
andromache) that there will be a great emotional power carried by Patrick and for sure I'll be moved. Comparing musical choices to last year, they seem definitely more on 'sentimental/emotional contemporary' side. I could be wrong - as we've not yet seen the programs - but I receive those choices as very personal ones, 'deeper' than last year's in emotional, more soulful way; whereas The Beatles and 'Journey' were definitely 'artful contemporary' for me, with emotional message, I sense that new choices will be more about that personal emotional message Patrick would like to send using his skating as a platform (please don't get me wrong on that one - I think that beauty and art of Patrick's skating will be there as a given, just more stress will be put on emotional creation and feelings Patrick experiences and feelings he would like to evoke in the audience).
And I definitely agree with
VietglrTerifa on 'Hallelujah' version used by Patrick - even extending it also on SP choice. I feel that those choices in terms of 'musicality/production' terms are very understated, simple, clinical and 'quiet' even - very few instruments, melody and voice of singer(s). In terms of that 'rawness' and minimalism I definitely see where Patrick is coming from - as per his last season's choices, which were also very understated and minimal (maybe just more 'statemental-like' comparing to upcoming season), he still was able to put his skating in prime light and draw attention to this seamless, ethereal beauty created by a fusion of his masterful skill and the music, making him like an instrument, so in harmony with melody. I think personally that those choices yet again will make Patrick's skating stand out by itself, but adding more shine on his feelings experienced, emotional package and reflection of his personality inside his skating/performance. And when to do such a thing, if not during his (probably) farewell competition season?
I do believe - strongly - that Patrick has it all to make those choices work beautifully for him and moreover - if he shown a willingness to take on those songs, there's definitely a thought behind it, an idea and dedication. And how
chapis said already - it's Patrick, so I'd fall in love anyway probably, looking at his skating in general and what emotions it evokes inside me.
ETA - and to add one thing - Patrick is for me a rare example of a skater whose powerfulness is sourced from his skating alone, no musical/choreographical 'fireworks' are needed to make me feel the power of certain skater.
:disapp: but it is Patrick, I will love it anyway.
