Best and worst warhorse performances

[DizzyFrenchie]

Nutcracker at Worlds 2005 (no falls, a couple of not so good landings) unfortunately, Sasha was up against Irina's skate of her life, otherwise might have taken a title

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That was yet another warhorse, not my favourite program of hers but undeniable well choreographed and of course who was better at a ballet program than Sasha? No one!

For the worst Nutcracker, I don't think it was the worst as far as skating goes, but Konstantin Milyukov's recessing hairline and greenish costume would have made a perfect Hilarion in Giselle, which was a bit confusing. I'm sorry, I don't find a video.

 

[Magill]

As to canonical Romeo, in terms of "eternal Romeo character", I've never seen any better than Yuzuru Hanyu at 2012 Nice World Championship. He has both the intsneity of the young and the depth of pain usually displayed only by more mature actors, who lack in the former:
The "classic" version with Tracy Wilson's commentary (she had never met him yet) has been taken down.

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Oh, yes!!! I recall Yuzuru's Romeo was his take on those separated by the earthquake from their loved ones as this was the first post-the-earthquake season for him. And one has to remember he was a survivor himself and was still traumatized. R&J was his very intentional choice then and the authenticity of his raw emotion was striking and just mind blowing for the audience. No wonder it brought him his first Worlds medal at such a young age. He was just 17, wasn't he? No shade to others, but he was the perfect Romeo indeed.

 

[4everchan]

my ultimate Romeo.

 

[yfan1]

As to canonical Romeo, in terms of "eternal Romeo character", I've never seen any better than Yuzuru Hanyu at 2012 Nice World Championship. He has both the intsneity of the young and the depth of pain usually displayed only by more mature actors, who lack in the former:
The "classic" version with Tracy Wilson's commentary (she had never met him yet) has been taken down.

- YouTube

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Not sure about eternal Romeo, but definitely his best program ever, and the best one done to this music by far. It's as you say - explosive intensity combined with vulnerability and softness, one that really established him as a performer at such an early age.

Anissina/Peizerat are the ones who close out this trio, with their take on their Prokofiev.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

my ultimate Romeo.

Certainly a gorgeous skate, as often with Han Yan, yet a more mature Romeo. I would say, Yuzuru Hanyu got it at 17, but when he skates to this program nowadays, he's also a mature Romeo. The Shakespeare character is generally considered to be a teen, and acts likewise. (To be honest, Romeo and Juliet are characters which don't appeal much to me in the play, I would say, it's Yuzuru Hanyu who makes Romeo enthralling?)

 

[Isk]

And what's an ideal Romeo? The dude killed 3 people including himself. Mercutio's death was not necessary either, neither was Juliette's. If he had a bit patience to wait in Mantua, they both might have survived. Remember how it all started: he was pining for someone else, went to distract at a ball at Capuletti's, fell in a new love in 1/2 hour, then picked up a fight, lost his best friend and killed his fiance's cousin and had to flee in exile, was lucky not to be executed. Then killed Paris without much thought, then himself, and then his mom died of grief. Not exactly mature behaviour.
I think one might have to be a genius to express all this in 4 minutes, but I am not a fan of most Shakespear's characters.

 

[yfan1]

Certainly a gorgeous skate, as often with Han Yan, yet a more mature Romeo.

I am not at all a fan of that skate from Yan, because to me the performance is on a plateau.

Oh, yes!!! I recall Yuzuru's Romeo was his take on those separated by the earthquake from their loved ones as this was the first post-the-earthquake season for him.

Source? I can't find it on his fan thread of the time.

 

[yfan1]

Nutcracker at Worlds 2005 (no falls, a couple of not so good landings) unfortunately, Sasha was up against Irina's skate of her life, otherwise might have taken a title

TBH, I think Sasha blew it in the SP more than anything. Her PCS were much superior to Irina's (for me anyway). But she didn't deserve it technically.

I re-watched recently Sasha's R&J and I honestly think that it was the best choreographed program ever.

Yeah, I kind of agree, especially that spiral sequence that covered nearly the entire rink length. It's one of those things that's stayed with me all these years. No matter how much skating starts seeming like crap, that's really a choreographed highlight.

 

[4everchan]

I posted about Han's Romeo because it has this special effect on me : Since he skated to this soundtrack, every time I hear a skater using it, I automatically think of his performance. Same, for instance, when I hear skaters doing Take 5. (not a warhorse), I think of Patrick's. So for me, it's not necessarily who had the best choreography, nor interpretation, but whose program has stuck fondly in my memory, which makes it the best performance.

 

[Tutto]

And what's an ideal Romeo? The dude killed 3 people including himself. Mercutio's death was not necessary either, neither was Juliette's. If he had a bit patience to wait in Mantua, they both might have survived. Remember how it all started: he was pining for someone else, went to distract at a ball at Capuletti's, fell in a new love in 1/2 hour, then picked up a fight, lost his best friend and killed his fiance's cousin and had to flee in exile, was lucky not to be executed. Then killed Paris without much thought, then himself, and then his mom died of grief. Not exactly mature behaviour.
I think one might have to be a genius to express all this in 4 minutes, but I am not a fan of most Shakespear's characters.

In Romeo’ defence: ONLY three people…
In those times people didn’t make such a fuss about premature death - they rarely made it to the old age anyway - wars, epidemics and other calamities wiped population routinely. The pace of life was also different- having married at 14, people were grandparents by the age of 30 which is astonishing by today standards. So readiness of Romeo and Juliet to die was due in part to different attitude to death in general I think.

 

[bartlebooth]

In Romeo’ defence: ONLY three people…

Let's not forget that his family is involved in a long and bloody feud, while he mostly tries to stay out of it. He even tries to avoid dueling with Tybalt. And with Paris, as well.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

TBH, I think Sasha blew it in the SP more than anything. Her PCS were much superior to Irina's (for me anyway). But she didn't deserve it technically.


Yeah, I kind of agree, especially that spiral sequence that covered nearly the entire rink length. It's one of those things that's stayed with me all these years. No matter how much skating starts seeming like crap, that's really a choreographed highlight.

In fact, when we speak of skaters who have a "better technique" or a "better artistry" meaning only jumps by technique, I find it cringe because the number and regular base value of jumps is such a small part of technique, and artistry is generally supported by technique — the rest of technique. Meanwhile, Sasha Cohen is typically a skater with a weaker basic technique (two-foot, flat skating) who still managed to express an exceptional artistry. Conversely, Patrick Chan had a great artistry (maybe not at that level? Who knows?) supported by an equally great technique. He was NOT "the artist type", he was more a "complete skater". Idem for Jason Brown, Deniss Vasiljevs...

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Let's not forget that his family is involved in a long and bloody feud, while he mostly tries to stay out of it. He even tries to avoid dueling with Tybalt.

Which lasted two Centuries during which parts of Italy were hotspots of violence. I wonder though, if Shakespeare didn't have rather in mind the more recent and British Wars of the Roses, be it only because his public would think about it? In any case indeed, nobility was living in a state of permanent high risk of death.

 

[Magill]

Oh, yes!!! I recall Yuzuru's Romeo was his take on those separated by the earthquake from their loved ones as this was the first post-the-earthquake season for him.

Source? I can't find it on his fan thread of the time.

I understand it is meant as a request, right?
So here's the source for the one who's asking
It is a rather rare video with a Japanese TV news report of that time and it is sort of difficult to find if you don't know what to look for as it does not have Yuzuru's name in the title. Moreover, it is properly subtitled in English which makes it even more rare and precious TBH.
Glad you've asked. I time-stamped it for the bit on R&J but it is worth watching as a whole. Though it is sad. But it offers some insights, too.

 

[yfan1]

Lol, already rather pop star like at 16, if I may say so.

 

[Tutto]

Let’s not forget the ultimate Romeo and Juliet:

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youtu.be

G&G
I honestly don’t know why Tchaikovsky music not taken on more by skaters - it could do half of work for them
Those DS ! Might not have three rotations but what a perfection !

 

[Magill]

Lol, already rather pop star like at 16, if I may say so.

I'm not sure what you mean? Popular? Oh, yes, he was already then.

But if "pop-star-like" is all you saw in this video about a 16-year-old boy at the aftermath of the Great Earthquake in a city where thousands died on that very day and whole districts went to ruin, and he himself faced death on that day, then that's your take and you are of course fully entitled to it but I don't think I am much interested in further exchange of that amazing compassion and depth. So I will bow out of this conversation and enjoy the remaining part of my evening in the safety of my neighbourhood, wishing you can do the same.

 

[yfan1]

But if "pop-star-like" is all you saw in this video about a 16-year-old boy at the aftermath of the Great Earthquake in a city where thousands died on that very day and whole districts went to ruin, and he himself faced death on that day, then that's your take and you are of course fully entitled to it but I don't think I am much interested in further exchange of that amazing compassion and depth.

You know it'd be good if you stopped attacking anyone who didn't share the same attitude towards Hanyu, like how you said people were being "US centric" for watching Legacy on Ice?

Pop stars donate lots, are well spoken, and dedicate their latest art towards various events. They present themselves well towards the audience. But thank you for letting me know that I have "amazing" compassion and depth - like Gucci's latest designs.

 

[Magill]

You know it'd be good if you stopped attacking anyone who didn't share the same attitude towards Hanyu, like how you said people were being "US centric" for watching Legacy on Ice?

Pop stars donate lots, are well spoken, and dedicate their latest art towards various events. They present themselves well towards the audience. But thank you for letting me know that I have "amazing" compassion and depth - like Gucci's latest designs.

Wow, nobody's attacking you, You asked for the source, and you were given it. The requested quote was there. That's all.
You gave your feedback, I gave mine.
Gucci had nothing to do with it, nor did Legacy on Ice. Not enjoying someone's company or conversing with them and therefore leaving is not attacking them, quite to to the contrary.. Enjoy your night!



And a late edit for those reading late: FYI, I never said watching Legacy On Ice was US-centric, of course I watched it myself and was very moved. My offhand remark dragged here from a different thread and context was aimed at a certain post by someone discussing it there much later as it was the one and only show ever celebrating victims of a disaster and collecting funding for survivors. No, it was not. Not looking far, you can see a bit of such a show in the video linked above - organized in Japan, took place in 2011, a month after the Great Earthquake and was just one of many of the type.That's all there ever was to it.

 

[yfan1]

Let’s not forget the ultimate Romeo and Juliet:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

G&G
I honestly don’t know why Tchaikovsky music not taken on more by skaters - it could do half of work for them
Those DS ! Might not have three rotations but what a perfection !

I'd forgotten this even existed. But then, it's not a warhorse in fs.