I wonder if they got the idea from the Magic on Ice show last September. He skated to the same piece from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, although as a different character. One problem is that those outside Russia don't seem to get what it is he is portraying in his EX.
I guess all countries who were influenced by Russia would know.
I think "witch on a broomstick" motif is common in European folklore in general, although details differ. Can't say anything for Japan, though, not familiar with their fairy tales.Baba Yaga is mostly known is the Slavic folklore, but it influenced non-Slavic countries' folklore too. I also think it may be more known outside of this cultural circle, because of Mussorgsky's influence.
I would be deadly scared of this program if I was a five years old
Good job, Mika, I enjoyed this performance very much!
)
I love the quirkiness, too and I think it suits him. He interpreted the music and the character perfectly. He even jumped like a wicked, scary Baba Yaga (except for the lutz maybe
If he chooses to do similar programs next season, I'll be happy. If not, then I look forward what kind of music he will choose for his programs.
Go Mika!
I think the idea even for this season was to do one quirky and one more 'traditional' program, it's just that they had to go back to the old quirky SP. I think it's rather unlikely that they are planning two quirky programs for next season, one maybe (although a lot of people do not want any). And as far as I understand the Fed is planning to check up on his programs much earlier this time, so that they'll have time to choreograph a new program (if it comes to that) or at least change something.
Just came in to say I've loved Kolyada's out of the box style for awhile now, and was elated to see that he was doing a Baba Yaga program for his WTT gala program, WIN WIN!
I'll be happy with any choreography that does not leave the viewer thinking "he can do so much better than this". That just shouldn't happen with good programs. They should look like they are fully utilizing the skater's strengths, while also being convenient to skate and earning points with the judges. I think Olga has given Misha choreography that is convenient and has point-earners in it, but in a way that somehow ends up looking like it's wasting his potential. Hallelujah didn't need to either be convenient or earn points and it ended up looking great on Misha, but there shouldn't be an either/or choice there. Misha isn't perfect by any means and he obviously should not get a program that he has trouble keeping up with either artistically or physically, which could be a danger with a new choreographer who doesn't know him. But skaters with much worse choreographic and performance potential have been given competition programs that they can cope with and look their best in the process. Hopefully Olga can combine those two components in her new programs.
Did the Fed call Misha the only hope? I thought that was coined by the figure skating fans. The Fed is definitely paying attention to Aliev and Samarin, Lazukin also considering that they sent him to the Universiade, where he fell apart in the FS as he is prone to due to what seems like physical rather than mental reasons. With his track record I doubt the Fed is counting on him for much for now, but they are certainly not ignoring him.Mika isn't really the "only" hope, it's just Russian Fed dramatizing. Dmitri aliev, Andrei Lazukin, Alexander Samarin all are quite promising. If only Russian Fed put their attention equally to all skaters... I really do hope the scenario from last year won't repeat. Tough I like how Mika is now considered good skater worldwide, he has established himself
