Javier Fernandez

[honghe]

So, speaking of exhibition and show numbers, I was thinking about Javi's exhibition performance at last year's Worlds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E-qXChx0Sw
I think Kurt did the choreography? :luv17:
I actually really, really like it, although there are moments here and there in the performance that could still be polished. So... I wonder whether he has performed it elsewhere besides at the Spanish Nationals. Maybe in shows? It's something I would love to see again. It has a different kind of charm.

(And the outfit suits the piece well, too. Does Javi have a thing for suspenders? )

 

[xibsuarz]

So, speaking of exhibition and show numbers, I was thinking about Javi's exhibition performance at last year's Worlds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E-qXChx0Sw
I think Kurt did the choreography? :luv17:
I actually really, really like it, although there are moments here and there in the performance that could still be polished. So... I wonder whether he has performed it elsewhere besides at the Spanish Nationals. Maybe in shows? It's something I would love to see again. It has a different kind of charm.

(And the outfit suits the piece well, too. Does Javi have a thing for suspenders? )

Javi performed that EX (and yeah, the choreo was Kurt's ) at the 2015 WTT EX and during FaOI last year , at least for some shows, I think he changed it for his Bullfighter EX later on

I read in an interview a few weeks back that he does like suspenders, people say they suit him, and he also uses them to emphasize the mood of his routines. The article's title's actually "The suspenders of figure skater Javier Fernandez, his trademark style"

 

[honghe]

Javi performed that EX (and yeah, the choreo was Kurt's ) at the 2015 WTT EX and during FaOI last year , at least for some shows, I think he changed it for his Bullfighter EX later on

I read in an interview a few weeks back that he does like suspenders, people say they suit him, and he also uses them to emphasize the mood of his routines. The article's title's actually "The suspenders of figure skater Javier Fernandez, his trademark style"

Thank you so much for the links!!!
(It's really cute when after the program ends and he comes out of character and smiles the Javi smile :luv17

LOL at the title of the article But I agree that suspenders do suit him
I wonder who usually gets the final say in deciding on costumes. The choreographer? The skater?

 

[tzazu]

Thank you so much for the links!!!
(It's really cute when after the program ends and he comes out of character and smiles the Javi smile :luv17

LOL at the title of the article But I agree that suspenders do suit him
I wonder who usually gets the final say in deciding on costumes. The choreographer? The skater?

Maybe the choreographer and the trainer give their opinion, but I think it's more the skater who choose the costume

 

[evergreen]

I read somewhere that in Javi's case, Brian Orser has the final say of his packaging, including the costuming. Javi also confirmed in one of his interviews when he joined the cricket club in the 2011-12 season, Brian designed his costume for both of the programs. Actually sweaters & suspenders used to be Orser's trademark in his pro career, this was one of the reasons why many said Javi was "Brian Orser's clone" in his first season with Orser, especially in his "I love Paris" SP.

According to his book Team Brian, Brian took Javi to David Wilson's condo on the first night upon his arrival at the cricket club. When Javi was asked what kind of music he would like to skate with, Javi answered "I don't know", so Brian & DW picked the music for him.

 

[xibsuarz]

From the interview I posted earlier:

"Me gusta implicarme en la elaboración de los trajes, pero si el resultado no me convence, no me lo pongo, aunque suelo trabajar con las mismas personas que ya conocen mis gustos"

Translation:

"I like to involve myself in the costume elaboration, but if the result doesn't convince me I don't wear it. Though I usually work with the same people who already know what I like"

He also said he liked competing in relatively simple clothes: a vest with a few ornaments, long sleeves with a bit of ruffles on the wrist, and plain pants. (well I have to say that if there was something I really liked about his Barber of Seville program was the costume which I suppose is the one he's making reference of) And that he leaves the more daring costumes for EX.

So I guess it's something collaborative, but since Javi will be the one competing in those costumes; his opinion is taken heavily into account.

 

[evergreen]

I like his costume of Barber of Serville too :luv17:, it is a replica of the opera staging costume but in a more decent way


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000006NXT/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004ZDLH&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X94MY9VZY4V4DN7HSXE

I am afraid that his team has more to say on the music selection. Javi liked the soundtrack of Brave Heart very much and wanted to used it for his 14 Olympic' LP, but was turned down by Brian & DW. I just don't understand how can his team came up such poor packaging for him in the most important season. Fingers crossed that they make a much smarter choice for Javi's 2018 season.

 

[honghe]

IIRC, I heard someone say that Brian got the inspiration for the "I love Paris" SP costume from watching So You Think You Can Dance Personally I like that SP and the costume a lot.

And that he leaves the more daring costumes for EX.

The Bullfighter costume is the most elaborate thing he has worn so far, I guess?

I like his costume of Barber of Serville too :luv17:, it is a replica of the opera staging costume but in a more decent way

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000006NXT/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004ZDLH&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X94MY9VZY4V4DN7HSXE

I am afraid that his team has more to say on the music selection. Javi liked the soundtrack of Brave Heart very much and wanted to used it for his 14 Olympic' LP, but was turned down by Brian & DW. I just don't understand how can his team came up such poor packaging for him in the most important season. Fingers crossed that they make a much smarter choice for Javi's 2018 season.

Awww I know it's OT but I just have to say this: the one you linked to is my favorite Barbiere recording! Prey and Berganza were both great and I adore Luigi Alva.

Regarding the Braveheart soundtrack, I kind of agree with Brian and David... It doesn't sound like something that would be best suited for Javi to skate to, at least not at that time. Now he probably could do a much better job with this kind of music.
I don't think the packaging for that season was poor (well except the SP costume). I think both the SP and the FS were interesting. It's just that for whatever reason the FS and Javi never fully clicked. I guess it felt like a let down because the Chaplin program from the previous year was so lovely. They did have the option to go back to that program if they really had problems with the new FS. They didn't change program, so maybe they felt OK with it.
(And the following season, the "Touch of Evil" exhibition program used music by the same composer.)

I also hope Javi have two great programs for the 2017-2018 season. Maybe they could use the next season to explore some stuff, and see how the reactions are.

 

[evergreen]

Wow, that is my favorite version of Barber of Serville too.

I am not a fan of both of his SP & FP for 13-14 season, especially the costumes. I thought that once Javi left Morozov, he would bid farewell to those tedious costume such as purple jacket, green shirt & huge pick bow tie. Since Team Brian did fantastic job to package Javi well from head to toe for the first two season, a less quality packaging would be ok for other occasion but definitely not for the Olympic Season.

I have no problem that David & Brian killed off Braveheart idea, but don't know why both pieces they selected were quite similar in style. The Duna SP could be an interesting one if the costume is not distractive, but the music arrangement of Peter Gunn was not appealing and lack of sleek'n chic quality. Javi at his early 20s' had something special, which was so sweet and adorable with a quivering vulnerability, he may be more suitable to skate to soft mixing with playful music. La Strada could be suitable for him, even though it is sort of over used. It is better to play safe in the Olympic Season.

 

[cathlen]

I also hope Javi have two great programs for the 2017-2018 season. Maybe they could use the next season to explore some stuff, and see how the reactions are.

I wish all skaters who usually use similiar music do that, if they haven't done so yet. Since Javi is retiring after Olympic season, this is his last chance to try something different and IMO he's talented enough to make other styles work for him.

 

[Mango]

Javier mentioned in the latest issue of International Figure Skating Magazine that he has wanted to skate to music from 'Grease'. Preferably a song sung by a guy, from what I understood. He's also considered skating to Elvis.

 

[Jaana]

It is better to play safe in the Olympic Season.

I agree with that 100 %. In that season he should have the kind of programs he feels totally comfortable with and music which suits his personality best. In my opinion only the exhibition is the right place to try out various kind of music, never the competition. Besides in my opinion his competitive programs have been different = different style of music for sp and fs, and also fs programs have seemed rather different to my eye. Chaplin was great, but "Guys and Dolls" is a definite masterpiece. Our commentator was raving about his basic skating, glide and footwork. She repeated the same again and again...

 

[honghe]

I thought that once Javi left Morozov, he would bid farewell to those tedious costume such as purple jacket, green shirt & huge pick bow tie.

Oh I think his costumes in the 2013-2014 season were still much, much better than these things Morozov made him wear for the Historia de un Amor SP. I wonder why anyone would agree to put that outfit on.

I do agree though, that Javi in his early 20s had a special boyish charm. His programs in the previous two seasons caught this really well.

I wish all skaters who usually use similiar music do that, if they haven't done so yet. Since Javi is retiring after Olympic season, this is his last chance to try something different and IMO he's talented enough to make other styles work for him.

I agree that Javi is talented enough to make different styles work, and IMO he has tried different stuff. He does seem quite a bit more adventurous with his SP than with FS, though, which I guess is understandable. I am curious to see what kind programs he will use this coming season. My feeling is that he might indeed explore more things.

Javier mentioned in the latest issue of International Figure Skating Magazine that he has wanted to skate to music from 'Grease'. Preferably a song sung by a guy, from what I understood. He's also considered skating to Elvis.

Thanks for the information. Lol I wonder what does Javi usually listen to or watch.

Hmmm, I guess Elvis could be an exhibition number, but it's kind of hard for me to imagine it as a competition program... Grease on the other hand might work, but somehow I'm not very fond of this idea... But I have to admit I didn't like Guys and Dolls that much at first, yet now it's one of my favorites. So I don't know.

I agree with that 100 %. In that season he should have the kind of programs he feels totally comfortable with and music which suits his personality best. In my opinion only the exhibition is the right place to try out various kind of music, never the competition. Besides in my opinion his competitive programs have been different = different style of music for sp and fs, and also fs programs have seemed rather different to my eye. Chaplin was great, but "Guys and Dolls" is a definite masterpiece. Our commentator was raving about his basic skating, glide and footwork. She repeated the same again and again...

I agree that his competition programs have been different. Black Betty and Malagueña are very different, for example, and both are great programs. Sometimes I guess people don't really acknowledge that because he has very unique presence on ice and personality (which IMO is a good thing), and no matter what he does there would always be people think "Oh it's so Javier." On the other hand you rarely hear people complain about someone leaning more toward the "classical" side (NOT that I think there should be complaints.)

I believe it was Kurt who once called Javi "a very versatile skater" and "one of the rare skaters" who can handle both serious stuff and comedy well.

I agree that skaters should choose programs that they are 100% comfortable with for the Olympic season, but I think this coming season some can afford to explore a little bit.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Javi as Danny Zuko? I'd love to see it!

 

[surimi]

Javier mentioned in the latest issue of International Figure Skating Magazine that he has wanted to skate to music from 'Grease'. Preferably a song sung by a guy, from what I understood.

Yes please! Someone make that happen. I'd totally love that. :2thumbs:

 

[evergreen]

Well, I like the music of Dirty Dancing more than Grease, but the skaters are entitled to skate to the music they are able to connect and feel comfortable to preform, especially for those programs nowadays which are fully loaded with technical elements, transitions and multiple quads & 3As. Sometimes I think fans/armchair coaches may ask for too much from the skaters whiles do not appreciate enough how hard the sports has become and the tremendous work they have put in over the years.

Since Javi's ultimate goal is the OGM, the most important thing for him within the next 20 months is to stay healthy while maintain his momentum towards the Peyongchang Olympics. Our fans shall support him to go through this journey so as he can end his competitive career on a high note at the biggest stage.

I truly regard the rising of Javi is one of the top sports miracles at all times. There are a lot of great and well-known Spanish athletes, but not in figure skating before Javi. In a country dominated by football/soccer, we assume that talented youngsters can easily pick up football or something else, since Spain is very strong in tennis, cycling, basketball, F-1, etc. Money-wise it also make more sense. Hence, no matter how much I dislike most of Morozov's stuff, I am thankful for him for discovering Javi and packaging him with a piece of brilliant break through program at the Olympics' showoff. On the other hand, the qualities I admire in Javi the most are his perservance, tanacity and determination, which I consider are critical to his success, despite he is well known lazy talent up till a couple of years ago'.

I do not need to say too much about Brian's importance in Javi's path of success other than by citing Javi's dad, that is, “Brian is the second father to Javi". Both of them were lucky to find each other. Many said that Brian was so lucky to have the first student as gifted as Yuna, who would have be great anyway with any coach, that Brian's success is just a fluck. No matter how ridiculous and unfair this allegation is, Brian's confidence crumbled when Adam decided to leave him in the summer of 2011. He began to doubt himself whether he is a world class coach material and whether he took the right direction guiding his pupils. It was Javi's rapid success which re-established his confidence as well as other coaches at the cricket club. As to Javi, he cannot find a better place than the cricket club to train and a great mentor like Brian to spoon feed him to his success.

 

[Jaana]

Yes, Javi is a miracle considering what he has accomplished so far. A real Spanish skater and not an immigrant who just represents Spain. I´m so glad that he is in such good hands with Brian Orser, Tracy Wilson and David Wilson. It is great that he is a person to whom success means that he will work even harder. That is an excellent attitude!!!

An article about Javi and the coming Saskatoon show:

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...-hockey-javier-fernandez-jumps-at-opportunity

 

[xibsuarz]

I do not need to say too much about Brian's importance in Javi's path of success other than by citing Javi's dad, that is, “Brian is the second father to Javi". Both of them were lucky to find each other. Many said that Brian was so lucky to have the first student as gifted as Yuna, who would have be great anyway with any coach, that Brian's success is just a fluck. No matter how ridiculous and unfair this allegation is, Brian's confidence crumbled when Adam decided to leave him in the summer of 2011. He began to doubt himself whether he is a world class coach material and whether he took the right direction guiding his pupils. It was Javi's rapid success which re-established his confidence as well as other coaches at the cricket club. As to Javi, he cannot find a better place than the cricket club to train and a great mentor like Brian to spoon feed him to his success.

ITA. I think that Javi and Brian are an example of how the right coach for you can get you absolutely anywhere. Brian has had 3 star students (Javier obviously among them), but Javi arrived to Toronto without motivation, and was, as Brian said, lost. But the TCC put him back on track, gave him the motivation he needed and showed him that consistent hard work pays off. And it did from the very beginning, since he scored a GPF bronze on his first year under Brian.
Now he doesn't need them to push him to do things, he will do it himself. Brian said he thought it would be hard to bring him back into training after he won Worlds last year, but he was surprised to see that Javier went back to Toronto in time. And when Nam was interviewed by TSL after the 2014-2015 season ended, he said that after Euros, Javi had trained harder than he had ever seen him before in preparation for Worlds.

 

[evergreen]

And when Nam was interviewed by TSL after the 2014-2015 season ended, he said that after Euros, Javi had trained harder than he had ever seen him before in preparation for Worlds.

Speaking of 2015 Euros, Javi's FS performance was subpar and I had never seen him so tired at the end of the program. It may be the first ISU competition introducing Green Room, since Javi was the first to skate in the final flight, he had to sit through until the end, boy, he looks so intense & pale, thankful that Brian had been with him all the time.

I uploaded a fluff made by NBC for Sochi Olympics, including short clips of Brian & Javi's parents：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG7rSQ57U_0&feature=youtu.be

 

[honghe]

I agree with everyone regarding the importance of Brian, Tracy and David and everyone at the Cricket Club and the great work they've been doing. Javi is obviously very talented, but he is also very fortunate.

I remember reading that Brian was really hurt when Yuna and then Adam left, and I recall an interview a couple of years later in which Brian said because of what happened with Yuna and Adam, "I will no longer let myself get emotionally involved" when working with his skaters. I'm not sure whether this kind of wound will ever be fully healed, but I do hope he can have many skaters who truly trust him.

Speaking of 2015 Euros, Javi's FS performance was subpar and I had never seen him so tired at the end of the program. It may be the first ISU competition introducing Green Room, since Javi was the first to skate in the final flight, he had to sit through until the end, boy, he looks so intense & pale, thankful that Brian had been with him all the time.

I uploaded a fluff made by NBC for Sochi Olympics, including short clips of Brian & Javi's parents：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG7rSQ57U_0&feature=youtu.be

I still get confused about the rules for green room. Are coaches usually allowed in there? It seemed Brian was the only one there at Euros 2015 (which was a very nice thing for Brian to do). I also saw photos of the coach of Meagan and Eric in the green room at this year's worlds. But we've also seen a lot of skaters there without their coaches.

Oh and thank you evergreen for uploading this lovely video.