Abt's Rachmaninov LP

[anya_angie]

Okay, I'm in a bit of a rut on IMDB, talking about favorite Rachmaninov pieces and I cited the version that Abt used, particularly the part in the 3rd concerto and the 3rd movement where he does the triple Flip. I don't think the guy even looked at the youtube link I provided because he seems to say that, as a whole, I would never be able to find the Rach3 version Sasha uses. But I'm not talking about the whole thing, just the part with the flip! In every arrangement I've heard of that part, it's faster, this is a bit slower and really makes you wait for that flip.

Okay, my question: Does anyone know what particular orchestra and, if possible, what particular recording, Sasha uses in his LP????? I would really appreciate it!

 

[Zanzibar]

Even Sasha Abt probably doesn't even know exactly which arrangement he used as many times when I've asked skaters who did the music for a particular program, they have no idea - they just have the name of it. This was the case when I made a reference once to his 2000 short program - a very fast piece that he skated wonderfully - he had no idea what the name of the music's composer was, LOL.

But...I think his version was done by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

[Eeyora]

I loved the program. It put tears in my eyes.

 

[anya_angie]

Zanzibar you are always the key source it seems! I looked on Sasha's website and it does cite the LPO for that performance! That narrows it down a bit and the IMDB guy said he'd try to track it down hehe.

I love this program too, especially at the Europeans in 2002. It's such a shame the judges didn't appreciate the elegant style like we do.

 

[Bridget]

Anybody got a Youtube link to this Abt Rachmaninoff skate? That's some of my favortie music in the world, and he is definitely one of my favorite skaters. I remember his doing this-just haven't seen it in awhile.

 

[anya_angie]

Here you go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJMSdT6270k

 

[Kati]

Oh thank you for the link! I LOVE that Rachmaninov by Alexander Abt, it's a masterpiece, he should have won by countrymile! Perfect!!

 

[Bridget]

Much as I love Alexei....that was incredible! Thanks so much for posting the link.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Here you go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJMSdT6270k

Abt - one of my favorite skaters of all time.

I like Yagudin but ABT was better that afternoon in euros. It was a break through for Sasha despite the loss of gold. He should have stayed with Arutunian.

Joe

 

[Zanzibar]

Interesting that you bring up Rafael Arutunian, Joe. You can see from the body language in the kiss-and-cry on that video of 2002 Euros, just how estranged Sasha Abt felt from him. It was soon after that he made the decision to leave Rafael and go to Zhulin. I interviewed Rafael for an article in last month's IFS magazine and it was poignant to hear that he and Sasha, after all they went through together during their 10-12 year working relationship have not spoken now in many, many years. Rafael said that he had always sort of considered himself to be like a 'second father' to Sasha. Sad.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Interesting that you bring up Rafael Arutunian, Joe. You can see from the body language in the kiss-and-cry on that video of 2002 Euros, just how estranged Sasha Abt felt from him. It was soon after that he made the decision to leave Rafael and go to Zhulin. I interviewed Rafael for an article in last month's IFS magazine and it was poignant to hear that he and Sasha, after all they went through together during their 10-12 year working relationship have not spoken now in many, many years. Rafael said that he had always sort of considered himself to be like a 'second father' to Sasha. Sad.

Arutunian, imo, is a poker faced coach so I don't think one gets so much information from his facial expressions in the K&C. Perhaps, Abt made mention of going East before Euros.

Joe

 

[anya_angie]

The K&C in Euros 01 just broke my heart. Poor Sasha!!! What guts to skate in such a condition.

 

[Zanzibar]

Arutunian, imo, is a poker faced coach so I don't think one gets so much information from his facial expressions in the K&C. Perhaps, Abt made mention of going East before Euros.

Joe

Oh no, I didn't mean Rafael's expression...lol...I meant Sasha's. He refuses to look at or even acknowledge Rafael - the tension was already just about to peak at that event and by Worlds 1-2 months later, he was leaving him. Same thing at Worlds that year - Rafael is so bouncy and happy in the Kiss-n-Cry because Sasha really did well in Nagano - especially his 2nd place Short Program. But Abt doesn't look at or ackowledge Rafael, and that was their final event together. It's sad when such long collaborations come to an end and the parties involved don't even communciate with an occasional email or phone call. I'm so glad Tarasova and Yagudin have stayed close.

 

[mike79]

All I've got to say about that program is that it was a masterpiece. Edges, edges and more edges!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

still, I get the action of leaving, I just don't get the reason why? and why would Zhulin be better than Rafael?

Joe

 

[Jaana]

Interesting that you bring up Rafael Arutunian, Joe. You can see from the body language in the kiss-and-cry on that video of 2002 Euros, just how estranged Sasha Abt felt from him. It was soon after that he made the decision to leave Rafael and go to Zhulin. I interviewed Rafael for an article in last month's IFS magazine and it was poignant to hear that he and Sasha, after all they went through together during their 10-12 year working relationship have not spoken now in many, many years. Rafael said that he had always sort of considered himself to be like a 'second father' to Sasha. Sad.

I wonder what caused Abt to leave Arutunian finally? Long ago (maybe 10 years?) I remember reading postings on forums suggesting that Abt suffered in Russian Nationals because his coach was not respected by the Russian Skating Federation. Many suggested that he should have some other coach, but still he stayed. Why leave so late in the career? I think that with Zhulin he became the Russian champion though.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

He skated terribly in international competitions once he left Arutunian.

 

[Zanzibar]

What Sasha told me was that he felt Rafael wasn't devoting enough time to him, especially once they moved to Lake Arrowhead in 2001 to get ready for SLC. He said that he felt he 'was training himself'. Zhulin and he were old friends and Sasha was just about ready to quit after SLC anyway, but it was really Zhulin that helped convince him to stay. I guess it just amazes me that people can work so incredibly close together for so long, but then when they switch coaches - or perhaps go pro - the relationship seems to end entirely. Abt did win his biggest title with Zhulin - Russian Nationals - but of course Plushy wasn't competing in the event that year. But it probably all evens out as many have said that Sasha should have won or have been placed higher in previous Russian Nationals, but wasn't because Alexei and Plushy were the favorites of the Fed.

 

[Jaana]

But it probably all evens out as many have said that Sasha should have won or have been placed higher in previous Russian Nationals, but wasn't because Alexei and Plushy were the favorites of the Fed.

Yes, I read about the Nationals 1997-1998 where Abt (based on his skating) should have been second in the results. Instead he was put fourth and Mishin´s skaters were favoured.

Just remembered now that besides changing the coach, there were also many posters that suggested that Abt should select another country to skate for.

What a bad luck that guy had, he was so often injured and if he was not injured, he was not treated fairly in his Nationals.