Nathan Chen

[Ic3Rabbit]

But there is so much music in this world that would work for skating that hasn't been explored yet, even classical pieces.

 

[skfan]

I'd love him to skate to Siegfried's Idyll by Richard Wagner. I've never been able to make a decent cut of that music, and it doesn't have mood and tempo changes, so it probably wouldn't make a good long program. Would any of the very talented musicians and artists on this fan fest have any interest in trying your hand at cutting that music into a short program or a gala?

shine and oatmella?

 

[oatmella]

I guess another Chopin program is not really necessary

I kind of want to see a very dramatic program from him in the future - like WHOA IS THAT NATHAN - am I the only one who kinda wants to see him as a vampire

It seems hard to narrow it down as Nathan can skate to almost anything - like that tweet at worlds that Nathan could skate to Elvis, he really could (was practicing to Kolyada’s music), he could make Moulin Rouge bearable, etc

 

[skfan]

I have a fondness for Scherzo no.2, personally. It has a dramatic opening theme, with a beautiful second melodic theme, and I don't think anyone has skated to it before.

I like this idea. But maybe I like Scherzo no. 3 even better. Are you thinking of a short program or a long program? Or a gala? I can't imagine Nathan choosing a classical gala, though I would be over the moon if he did.

 

[oatmella]

I wonder if he will be doing another very classical program at all

I would think this past Olympic season would have been the time for him to do one?

Honestly I think that Nemesis especially with the b-word in it was a rather a bold choice for Olympic season

And Mao’s Last Dancer/rite of spring a bit risky too

 

[skfan]

I wonder if he will be doing another very classical program at all

I would think this past Olympic season would have been the time for him to do one?

Honestly I think that Nemesis especially with the b-word in it was a rather a bold choice for Olympic season

And Mao’s Last Dancer/rite of spring a bit risky too

defintely. very bold, risk-taking choices. especially in light of all the re-treads.

a shame he couldn't present both programs at their best. i'm not saying anything new, i just so whole-heartedly agree with you

 

[heyheyhey]

Prefer if he stays away from warhorses and maybe uses music from Armand Amar, Hans Zimmer or the likes for the long programs. I like the more modern style of his short program in nemesis so hopes he keeps in a similar vein, it works well for him.

 

[oatmella]

I was recently coerced into watching an entire Hans Zimmer concert ‘live in Prague’ - didn’t know such concerts even existed and it was so long

At this point I will say no Hans Zimmer please

 

[zebobes]

I was recently coerced to watch an entire Hans Zimmer concert ‘live in Prague’ - didn’t know such concerts even existed and it was so long

At this point I will say no Hans Zimmer please

I concur! Hans Zimmer scores are so loud and bombastic, with no subtlety. Nathan can do loud, but it has to have some subtlety to it.

 

[heyheyhey]

I concur! Hans Zimmer scores are so loud and bombastic, with no subtlety. Nathan can do loud, but it has to have some subtlety to it.

Maybe his more popular scores are loud but definitely not all. I think there’s some nice gems that if edited right can work for Nathan but it was just a name that popped in my head, in general just want him to go with more modern composers that are still like...alive lol, just for some change.

 

[hhh]

I somehow sense what the predominant preference is here. A classical by a much less known composer is what I’d like for his FS as previously discussed, there are so many pieces that haven’t been touched, or a movie score, Amar or Zimmer through Nathan? I’m up for it. As for the warhorses, my only concerns are one - it will be compared to the past performances through the judges’ colorful lens and two - stir up another meaningless fan war. Nathan’s music taste has not failed me personally so I’m 100% in, whether it’s to my personal liking, afterall, he needs freedom as an artist to paint his programs. I’m very excited as if I’m about to attend a surprise performance by my favorite artists.

music has no color or limit and it’s beyond all social classes.

 

[oatmella]

I don’t think Nathan has actually chosen any of his music (other than his ex) since his young junior days (Kung fu panda, wall-E, The Godfather). I am under the impression he didn’t even really like the music to Mao’s Last Dancer at first - and I’m not sure about Nemesis - though very glad that was chosen for his SP over No Good.

 

[heyheyhey]

^ He said he initially wasn’t feeling Nemesis because he felt that it was too pop and he wasn’t sure he could pull it off but eventually got into as they were coming up with the choreo.

I also like some of John Williams scores (like his stuff from memoirs of a geisha but he has a huge catalogue), maybe Nicholas Britell

I don’t know how skaters typically come up with their programs, like is it typically they pick the music and then form the program around it or do they pick a theme for the program (what they overall want to convey) and then pick music that correlates to that and make choreo from there? It probably depends but I would like Nathan to do the latter of him playing a character or planning out an overall concept/story and pick music that goes with it.

 

[colton12314]

to divert for a little bit...
nathan's yale photos ARE TOO MUCH
I AM SO SMITTEN
AH

 

[hhh]

No Good wasn’t in the sp selection was it? I thought Shae-Lynn’s husband made the recommendation of Nemesis.

Hope to see more Nathan mañana

 

[Hollymolly]

I don’t know how skaters typically come up with their programs, like is it typically they pick the music and then form the program around it or do they pick a theme for the program (what they overall want to convey) and then pick music that correlates to that and make choreo from there? It probably depends but I would like Nathan to do the latter of him playing a character or planning out an overall concept/story and pick music that goes with it.

How to choose their program music is different dspends on situations and skaters.
Nathan once interviewed the way he choose his program music.
https://twitter.com/sofigureout/status/965208111173713922?s=21

I also hope Nathan pick some character or concepts he want to skate through the program..!

 

[1111bm]

I’m also against a Back from the Edge SP.

First off, the program looks like he just threw everything together that he’s done for the past 3-4 seasons.
Yes I’m aware it’s normal to recycle steps and segments, and we see that all the time in competitive programs too, but it seems particularly obvious to me in BFE.

And the choreo looks like someone who’s just casually rocking out to a favourite song, which is exactly what it is, actually.
That might work well for an exhibition program, but to me it looks way too unrefined and flaily, I just need to compare it to Nemesis and I see a huge difference in the quality of the movements.

Re costumes:

I love his white Chopin blouse, much better than the official costume he got later.
Why do you all say that it has ruffles? If it were actual ruffles, the fabric would be gathered on one side, giving it that wavy look, whereas the blouse just has straight pieces of fabric hanging down, so it doesn’t look frilly to me, at all. If anything, it looks like someone stapled several pieces of cloth to his chest.

I also love the corsair lace top and his grey/white Nemesis top, and stylistically they work well for their respective programs. But what makes the Chopin blouse so nice imo, is the fact that it sort of blows and flaps in the wind while he’s skating, giving him a delicate and etherial apperance, and emphasises the way he moves to the music.
Because I like it when a costume is not just a regular piece of clothing with an ordinary cut, but when it actually supports the mood of the music, because the fabric moves or creates interesting shapes. We obviously see that more often with women’s costumes because they’re mostly dresses, so there’s always a certain amount of fluttering fabric going on.

 

[Mamamiia]

I’m also against a Back from the Edge SP.

First off, the program looks like he just threw everything together that he’s done for the past 3-4 seasons.
Yes I’m aware it’s normal to recycle steps and segments, and we see that all the time in competitive programs too, but it seems particularly obvious to me in BFE.

And the choreo looks like someone who’s just casually rocking out to a favourite song, which is exactly what it is, actually.
That might work well for an exhibition program, but to me it looks way too unrefined and flaily, I just need to compare it to Nemesis and I see a huge difference in the quality of the movements.

Re costumes:

I love his white Chopin blouse, much better than the official costume he got later.
Why do you all say that it has ruffles? If it were actual ruffles, the fabric would be gathered on one side, giving it that wavy look, whereas the blouse just has straight pieces of fabric hanging down, so it doesn’t look frilly to me, at all. If anything, it looks like someone stapled several pieces of cloth to his chest.

I also love the corsair lace top and his grey/white Nemesis top, and stylistically they work well for their respective programs. But what makes the Chopin blouse so nice imo, is the fact that it sort of blows and flaps in the wind while he’s skating, giving him a delicate and etherial apperance, and emphasises the way he moves to the music.
Because I like it when a costume is not just a regular piece of clothing with an ordinary cut, but when it actually supports the mood of the music, because the fabric moves or creates interesting shapes. We obviously see that more often with women’s costumes because they’re mostly dresses, so there’s always a certain amount of fluttering fabric going on.

For the white blouse, i thought the sewn on piece was gathered a little but you are righ, it's a straight cut and wide enough to hang down.

 

[oatmella]

I’m just guessing we aren’t going to see any ruffly blouses on Nathan - especially considering he may be continuing the Vera costumes. I will take it a sign that if he only wears a costume 1x - it was that either he or someone on his team really wasn’t into it - his Le Corsaire white short sleeve with crystals and collar, shrunken vest and purple velour pants with turquoise waistband, for example.

As for music choice - I’m ok if he doesnt do another purely classical program - and honestly I don’t see him skating to Hans Zimmer either. I’m predicting that for at least one of his programs this season - we will be like WHOA we did not see this music coming - or at least I hope so

As for BTFE, I think it is great for what it is - a show program. Choreo wise - i can’t say he’s at Shae-Lynn level yet Dare I say I liked his Stole the Show program more than BTFE though?

And what black pants has Nathan been wearing for the shows? - they just look like regular black pants (are they the ones from his suit ...), not the black pants he was wearing for competitions the past 2 seasons. As much as I like BFTE- the white shirt and black pants just don’t fit well. At least his black shirt from Nemesis has a nice and flattering cut and fabric - is that the same shirt from Stole the Show days? Someone has to ask the important questions! - and Nathan’s so frugal

 

[shine]

I’m just guessing we aren’t going to see any ruffly blouses on Nathan - especially considering he may be continuing the Vera costumes. I will take it a sign that if he only wears a costume 1x - it was that either he or someone on his team really wasn’t into it - his Le Corsaire white short sleeve with crystals and collar, shrunken vest and purple velour pants with turquoise waistband, for example.

As for music choice - I’m ok if he doesnt do another purely classical program - and honestly I don’t see him skating to Hans Zimmer either. I’m predicting that for at least one of his programs this season - we will be like WHOA we did not see this music coming - or at least I hope so

As for BTFE, I think it is great for what it is - a show program. Choreo wise - i can’t say he’s at Shae-Lynn level yet Dare I say I liked his Stole the Show program more than BTFE though?

I really hope for no more Vera.. And choreography wise, I def agree Stole the Show was much better done than BFTE.

What’s y’all’s take on him not using his Vera costume in all these shows? It makes me wonder if he himself is not that big of a fan and perhaps won’t be going back to Vera after all?