2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[moriel]

I could excuse the choice of music. The lyrics are double entendres that aren’t really obvious to a non native speakers. But what I don’t understand is the one part of the choreo where they had her glide and make a gesture on her legs toward her private region. Maybe this is also a cultural thing, but in America that’s a profane gesture that implies inviting (or demanding) sex. Without the song choice, I could excuse that just as bad choreography but in the context of the song it looks really bad.

As a side note, pretty sure that is local.

Now, you cannot say that its "bad choreography" simply because, at some location, it means something negative. People have no obligation to know what each gesture means in US, and have no obligation to cater to that, because that is too much stuff to know, and too much stuff to cater. I mean, do people stop doing the ok gesture, which has a full range of meanings, from positive to negative?

There is the fig sign, which is actually hilarious because in russian its negative and obscene, and in Brazil it is used to ward off evil eye, and they sell fig sign charms and so on (which you can buy and give to your russian friends lols).

Gestures are something very fluid, and calling choreography bad simply because a specific gesture is obscene in your culture (but is just an arm movement in the cultur of the choreographer and the skater) is very silly.

 

[NoviceFan]

I could excuse the choice of music. The lyrics are double entendres that aren’t really obvious to a non native speakers. But what I don’t understand is the one part of the choreo where they had her glide and make a gesture on her legs toward her private region. Maybe this is also a cultural thing, but in America that’s a profane gesture that implies inviting (or demanding) sex. Without the song choice, I could excuse that just as bad choreography but in the context of the song it looks really bad.

As a side note, pretty sure that is local.

Now, you cannot say that its "bad choreography" simply because, at some location, it means something negative. People have no obligation to know what each gesture means in US, and have no obligation to cater to that, because that is too much stuff to know, and too much stuff to cater. I mean, do people stop doing the ok gesture, which has a full range of meanings, from positive to negative?

There is the fig sign, which is actually hilarious because in russian its negative and obscene, and in Brazil it is used to ward off evil eye, and they sell fig sign charms and so on (which you can buy and give to your russian friends lols).

Gestures are something very fluid, and calling choreography bad simply because a specific gesture is obscene in your culture (but is just an arm movement in the cultur of the choreographer and the skater) is very silly.

I apologize to everyone for delving on this further, but this assertion made me curious. I suppose you were referring to the specific choreography in italic typeface above. And do you mean this is just "an arm movement" in Russia? I am genuinely curious.

 

[melgirl25]

Did anyone bring the interview with Daniil?
https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/elucidus/2465904.html

Are there translations? (Can translate all, but can translate parts).

I only saw this...

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFK_iLIVWc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Daniil Gleichengauz's comment about the music choices for Alina Zagitova's 2018-19 programs: "About Alina and her two programs, here we went from the fact that she is able to skate to these hits better than anyone else, who already has skated to 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Carmen'. That (choice) was my wish, because I have never choreographed to these pieces before. The goal was to create such programs for her that for the next 3-4 years no one would take this music, understanding that they won't be able to perform it better than Zagitova."

 

[Scott512]

I could excuse the choice of music. The lyrics are double entendres that aren’t really obvious to a non native speakers. But what I don’t understand is the one part of the choreo where they had her glide and make a gesture on her legs toward her private region. Maybe this is also a cultural thing, but in America that’s a profane gesture that implies inviting (or demanding) sex. Without the song choice, I could excuse that just as bad choreography but in the context of the song it looks really bad.

Who did that?

 

[SnowWhite]

I only saw this...

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFK_iLIVWc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Daniil Gleichengauz's comment about the music choices for Alina Zagitova's 2018-19 programs: "About Alina and her two programs, here we went from the fact that she is able to skate to these hits better than anyone else, who already has skated to 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Carmen'. That (choice) was my wish, because I have never choreographed to these pieces before. The goal was to create such programs for her that for the next 3-4 years no one would take this music, understanding that they won't be able to perform it better than Zagitova."

If he thinks that no one is going to skate to POTO or Carmen for the next few seasons, well, I think he's likely to be disappointed.

 

[fabienne1996]

If he thinks that no one is going to skate to POTO or Carmen for the next few seasons, well, I think he's likely to be disappointed.

Well not that alina isn't a great skater but I liked Katrina witts Carmen much more and we all know that phantom of the opera was probably never meant to be Alinas programm but would have been zhenyas if she had stayed .

 

[Autumn Leaves]

We all know that phantom of the opera was probably never meant to be Alinas programm but would have been zhenyas if she had stayed .

Very interesting; this is the first time I hear about this. Could you share a source, a link?
Zhenya didn't go to the camp and didn't communicate much with the team after the Olympics. She was in treatment, then on the Ice Age show. She announced that she's leaving relatively early, so it would surprise me if they started working on her programs.

 

[composer]

If Daniil wants to slay a few warhorses why not? It sure would do our livers a favor.
Does this up the possibility that Alina will get another two warhorses this upcoming season though?

I had an evil thought ... will the internet break if Alina announces her programs to be Tosca and Memoirs of a Geisha sometime in ... August?

 

[Autumn Leaves]

If Daniil wants to slay a few warhorses why not? It sure would do our livers a favor.
Does this up the possibility that Alina will get another two warhorses this upcoming season though?

Actually, no. The only thing he has said so far is that he is tired of reading about her warhorses, so they'll take a different route this year. Still no news about her programs! Can't wait anymore.

Although I think that classics become her and no one is as balletic as she is. I wouldn't mind if they choose another ballet on ice, but they probably won't.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

I think Gubanova and Tarusina will have their chances at GPs. Final is difficult even for the A-list. But in order to be successful in them, they have to do something extra apart from a clean skate. A new jump/combination or an excellent program.

I’m curious, why do Gubanova and Tarusina have a higher chance at the GP than the other girls I listed? Do they have a higher season’s best?

 

[fabienne1996]

Very interesting; this is the first time I hear about this. Could you share a source, a link?

Many people thought that when it became known that alina would skate to phantom. Phantom would be right up in zhenyas corner in the past what is with the expressiveness and everything. And for me ( who is a huge phantom fan) I didn't fell as if alina really knew what to do with this program u til the end of the season . Still that is only my own feelings and certainly not the feeling or impression of other people and I think it was the same when Yulia left I think zhenyas programm in 2015/16 was original meant for Yulia too. So it would not be the first time that this team does it.

 

[zounger]

I’m curious, why do Gubanova and Tarusina have a higher chance at the GP than the other girls I listed? Do they have a higher season’s best?

I think so, I don't remember. My comment is based on what I think as actual abilities and not their seasons bests. Guliakova is not so consistent, Talalaikina inexperienced. Tarakanova and Vasilieva most likely will stay juniors.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Many people thought that when it became known that alina would skate to phantom. Phantom would be right up in zhenyas corner in the past what is with the expressiveness and everything. And for me ( who is a huge phantom fan) I didn't fell as if alina really knew what to do with this program u til the end of the season . Still that is only my own feelings and certainly not the feeling or impression of other people and I think it was the same when Yulia left I think zhenyas programm in 2015/16 was original meant for Yulia too. So it would not be the first time that this team does it.

Yes, Yulia is a different story. Тhey didn't use her programs because she left, but because she refused them. It was the program about the deaf girl, which EM received, and the idea for Swan Lake, which later DG developed for Alina. Тhis information has been told and confirmed by many sources (including DG himself in this interview).

But about POTO, I hear for the first time that it was initially developed for Evgenia. If no one has ever said that, it must be a baseless fan story and belief. You believe that it would suit EM better and Alina was lost in it, while I thought it suited Alina perfectly and seemed made especially for her, the music box ballerina.

 

[moriel]

I apologize to everyone for delving on this further, but this assertion made me curious. I suppose you were referring to the specific choreography in italic typeface above. And do you mean this is just "an arm movement" in Russia? I am genuinely curious.

Not sure, but as i seen nothing obscene and cannot visualize the gesture from the description, I suppose it is not universal.

 

[moriel]

Full interview then: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?80934-Interview-with-Daniil-Gleikhengauz

 

[colormyworld240]

I’m way too old. I’d rather have the Ariana Grande thigh high plastic boots, and that’s not saying much I guess this singer is trying to wear ugly clothes?

I like costumes. Pretty costumes. Sparkly costumes. Maybe this Billie person can find some sparkles somewhere?

A part of Billie’s appeal is that her style is unique as is her personality. Everyone has a clothing preference. But the point is it’s not just classical girly sparkly outfits that are beautiful. Her style showcases her individuality, and I’m not even her fan. So I’m here for Alina wearing whatever she wants even if it’s that yellow outfit I don’t particularly enjoy. There are enough typical sparkly girly dresses in FS (not that there’s anything wrong with that, either).

 

[moriel]

Yes, Yulia is a different story. Тhey didn't use her programs because she left, but because she refused them. It was the program about the deaf girl, which EM received, and the idea for Swan Lake, which later DG developed for Alina. Тhis information has been told and confirmed by many sources (including DG himself in this interview).

But about POTO, I hear for the first time that it was initially developed for Evgenia. If no one has ever said that, it must be a baseless fan story and belief. You believe that it would suit EM better and Alina was lost in it, while I thought it suited Alina perfectly and seemed made especially for her, the music box ballerina.

Yep, its first time I hear about it too.

As for me, i liked POTO for Alina. It was not a genius program, imho, like her DQ, but it was a good vehicle for her. She maybe didnt feel the program perfectly from the beginning, but she was still natural in the role of Christine, probably due to her own age and character.

 

[moriel]

A part of Billie’s appeal is that her style is unique as is her personality. Everyone has a clothing preference. But the point is it’s not just classical girly sparkly outfits that are beautiful. Her style showcases her individuality, and I’m not even her fan. So I’m here for Alina wearing whatever she wants even if it’s that yellow outfit I don’t particularly enjoy. There are enough typical sparkly girly dresses in FS (not that there’s anything wrong with that, either).

I look at Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, and then look at all those people who complain about their clothes.
Then I remember my own times in the 90s, between regular 90s trash, goth, punk and camping.
Then I try to understand what is wrong about those 2 ladies, as the way they dress is fairly vanilla.
Just can't.

I feel so old, kids those days are weird with their first world problems. They clearly never hanged out with folks who wore combat boots and male clothing to camp, then a crinoline dress to party, then basically a leather bikini decorated with random stuff with thigh high boots to go out with friends, then school uniform to school.

 

[esteticlove]

The goal was to create such programs for her that for the next 3-4 years no one would take this music, understanding that they won't be able to perform it better than Zagitova."

That's a concept they use for all of their skaters but it doesn't always work.

 

[j00mla]

Many people thought that when it became known ...

at what planet or in what alternative reality, I wonder?