New Russian Programs;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-S61Rg9FfoB/S - not sure what to think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT4pt_h7e5oS/K - I think more palatable than B/S. Victoria feels the latin much better than Nikita, he almost looks like a bystander for the entire dance. But the composition looks decent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiwevRtVzYQBetina/Mosgov, Carmen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ie_fYwxiYsLoboda and Drozd. Chicago. I just cannot see how they can cast Alla in this role? Thoughts?
thanks a lot for posting,
bramweld, much appreciated since I very much wanted to see SD of Russian duos.
From the first look at Bobrova/Soloviev and Sinitsina/Katsalapov I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised about music selection and 'embelishing' of both dances - B/S SD is busy, but not too much, S/K on the other hand need to be spiced up/more paced, more 'something'...
Ekaterina and Dmitri have a good material in their hands in my opinion, with potential - I just need to see it more polished, especially while they are in holds/hands connections, better costumes (she would kill in red/burgundy number with open back, full sleeves, some gold detailing, asymetic trim, definitely on short side, this fringe one is too busy for me and don't do her justice, he has to have full black with slight cleavage for me, now the costume looks too much of waiter-y side) and another lift like stat - this one looks accidental and not fitting. But what is important for me, I see commitment from them, lots of nice movement from Ekaterina especially, good feeling out of the rhythm. Of course - it need more gelling, polish, strenghtening technicalities like every dance at this stage, but I have my hopes
Victoria and Nikita...well, the dance, although nicely put musically and rhythmically as vehicle itself for me, feels empty and with no purpose at this point. It is skated through the motions, not being a motion itself, let alone a powerful one. My biggest shock - a positive one! - is Victoria, her attitude, stance and progress she made, especially in terms of performance and presentation. I see that she's willing to learn and develop, she may be not Brazilian goddess, Latin diva, but there's a hint of sensuality in her movement, subtle swing and bounce here and there. Nice flow, arms work, connection with music, movement and program as a whole from her which I appreciate. Nikita on the other side looks kind of mechanical at this point, I'm sorry - he have to put more 'push' and stress onto fluidity of movement, not only executing all tech elements properly and he have to sell that Latin number convincigly, looking now anything but for me. I totally get myself that all teams have their respective ways of movement, style, expression, not everyone will do 'loud, cheerful Latin' or 'sexy, seductive Latin' or just Latin we all have in mind thinking of it. Bobrova/Soloviev are definitely not a 'Latin' style duo, yet with more 'understated' music and choreo (for their 'usual standards let's say) they look solid, believable and commited to sell what they have WITH the best of them. I think it's also due to their experience and seasoning, some kind of 'stamp' they already have on their style, how they're skating and performing. It is much needed for Victoria and Nikita, but since they are relatively new item, they have to put more spice, more character, more indentity into that SD I think, based on what they have now and what they are willing to give.
