Nathan Chen

[yyyskate]

Well more of a pure biography, not a fictional novel. The dancer is Le Cunxin. He grew up during the Mao years, and aside from being an interesting story about artistic freedom and such, the book offers fascinating insights into the Chinese transition from Mao to a more open society. He was chosen from a small village for the honor of training at Mao's academy - he had to leave home at a very early age. The story of his early years in Mao's dance school are memorable, including the "revolutionary ballets" that were developed - Mao's vision of usurping toxic Western dance and adapting for Chinese Communism.

When he defected, he didn't expect to ever see his family again. Gradually, he was allowed to send gifts to his parents (the story of the refrigerator pops to mind), and eventually visit his parents and perform in the small village and on larger stages in China.

Highly recommended reading. I also saw the movie, but as in most cases, the movie isn't as good as the book.

the narrative arc of nathan's FS purely in dance style sense:
BTW, I know what you mean by "Mao's vision of usurping toxic Western dance and adapting for Chinese Communism."

the middle part of Nathan's dance move styling feels more like "forced" "add-on" political service type of dance.

beginning feels like the first exposure to dance, also felt very fragile like the meager life of the young Chinese boy. (those delicate harp notes matching Nathan's surprisingly light jump landing, those are quad jumps!) Nathan's SS also felt very gentle and tender in this FS.
the third part feels like eventual go back to the true form of dance art.

Whole piece does feels like telling the story of a legendary dancer.

 

[TontoK]

the narrative arc of nathan's FS purely in dance style sense:
BTW, I know what you mean by "Mao's vision of usurping toxic Western dance and adapting for Chinese Communism."

the middle part of Nathan's dance move styling feels more like "forced" "add-on" political service type of dance.

beginning feels like the first exposure to dance, also felt very fragile like the meager life of the young Chinese boy. (those delicate harp notes matching Nathan's surprisingly light jump landing, those are quad jumps!) Nathan's SS also felt very gentle and tender in this FS.
the ending feels like eventual go back to the true form of dance art.

I think I can see what you're getting at, but also:

When I saw the program, I didn't recognize the music and had no idea of the connection to Mao's Last Dancer. It's just coincidence that I had read the book.

And I absolutely loved the program.

The program completely stands on its own, with no need for backstory to make it a "strong" program. And, for me, those are the best kind of programs.

The backstory may be interesting, but is not required to enjoy the sensitivity, the elegance, the power.

 

[yyyskate]

the Chinese instrument erhu (accompanied with his dance) after the very structured/industrial stsq feels so mournful...:sad21:

 

[breadstal]

SP Music Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Rw--h02cU

 

[purplecat]

In a season chock full of recycled programs and old warhorses Nathan's programs are like a breath of fresh air! Great job Nathan!

 

[yyyskate]

I think I can see what you're getting at, but also:

When I saw the program, I didn't recognize the music and had no idea of the connection to Mao's Last Dancer. It's just coincidence that I had read the book.

And I absolutely loved the program.

The program completely stands on its own, with no need for backstory to make it a "strong" program. And, for me, those are the best kind of programs.

The backstory may be interesting, but is not required to enjoy the sensitivity, the elegance, the power.

I agree, this is also my approach to appreciate figure skating programs in general. but this FS does feels like it has a narrative arch/story to it

 

[yyyskate]

I googled Rite of Spring ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOTjyCM3Ou4
I dont quite understand it, it appears very modern to say the least, and you can detect many similar styling(moves) in Nathan's FS.

 

[yyyskate]

parts of Mao's last Dancer soundtrack on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Z51EI2tgA
the mournful erhu piece is from track 23. Village Dance and Finale

I haven't watched the movie yet, but I assume it may be used towards the end, when the dancer finally allowed to come back to China and reunited with his family and started to teach young kids dance, maybe they had a performance, thus, the village Dance and Finale （maybe）.

The ending of Nathan's FS does has a sense of peace to it (different from the usual ending on a high note) which I LOVE.

 

[yyyskate]

Here is the live performance of soundtrack, the erhu part (in the middle) is here
I am really uncertain of the names of those tracks . this particular track is named "break and reunion"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfqajvXO0R0

 

[yyyskate]

here is a very nice summary of the soundtrack from the movie by this youtuber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkSCXMEwhEk
quote from this youtuber's description section, very helpful for understanding the soundtrack.

"Hearing a Western orchestra playing Chinese influenced music is somewhat of novelty for some people-primarily myself-so hearing the music rendered so well is a joy. The opening of the score ("Out of the Well") starts off with the use of the dizi flute for the first 37 seconds of the track which eventually segways into the use of the Erhu and finally the incorporation of the pipi lutes, those three instruments have been a staple in Chinese music for a long time, similar to how the trumpet is used in scores involving the USA, and each of the three instruments are used heavily for the film. Following the track "Out of the Well" a very solid opening, "Village of Life" enters with the pipi lutes proclaiming their presence, the three instruments are used enormously for the first six tracks. They're incredibly effective in making one feel embedded in the Chinese culture, and the standout piece of the six is the "The Archer" and this once again involves all three of the mentioned instruments, but the erhu is what steals the show in this particular piece and does provide a greater emotional sensation for the listener. "Madam's Model Ballet," and "Becoming a Dancer" are definite highlights, both contain a unique buoyant quality and many will gravitate towards the latter as being the best cue of album I suspect. Judging from what you've already heard after the first twelve pieces presented, just by looking at the title "Becoming a Dancer" you already get the sense that the track is going to provide a transcending moment. The final portions of the score offer a darker emotional edge about feelings of tragedy and serious consequence they're presented in a most delicate manner in "The Consulate" and "Brush Dance - Zheng Ban Qiao." "Break Up and Reunion" allows for any tension to be relieved after the saddening two aforementioned tracks and eventually leads into the stunning conclusion "Village Dance and Finale."
"

- - - Updated - - -

 

[sheetz]

For sure, Nathan's FS stands on its own without any background knowledge. But with the Olympics being held in S Korea many in the audience will be interested once they hear the traditional Chinese instruments playing (assuming Nathan makes it there, of course). Since it's not a standard warhorse you do have to be a good performer to pull it off, but I have confidence Nathan can handle it.

BTW, I wonder if Nathan's SP red shirt would go better with his FS instead? Red being a culturally appropriate color for a Chinese influenced program.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA: Nathan's quad conquest made Japanese TV
https://twitter.com/rikkobe_figure/status/909170022337069056

 

[yyyskate]

^^ I am not very excited about Nathan's costume choice, they are okay not particularly great . Now that you have mentioned it, maybe it is doable and better. I imagined a very cool, lay-back, maybe all-black, kinda like his training costume type of costume for the SP.
if switched, the SP will be more like that, and the red color, besides its association with Chinese culture, it is also a symbol color in the Rite of Spring ballet dance, I linked above, the scarf that was passed around is in red, exactly the same hue of red as Nathan's SP costume.

 

[frida80]

For sure, Nathan's FS stands on its own without any background knowledge. But with the Olympics being held in S Korea many in the audience will be interested once they hear the traditional Chinese instruments playing (assuming Nathan makes it there, of course). Since it's not a standard warhorse you do have to be a good performer to pull it off, but I have confidence Nathan can handle it.

BTW, I wonder if Nathan's SP red shirt would go better with his FS instead? Red being a culturally appropriate color for a Chinese influenced program.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA: Nathan's quad conquest made Japanese TV
https://twitter.com/rikkobe_figure/status/909170022337069056

^^ I am not very excited about Nathan's costume choice, they are okay not particularly great . Now that you have mentioned it, maybe it is doable and better. I imagined a very cool, lay-back, maybe all-black, kinda like his training costume type of costume for the SP.
if switched, the SP will be more like that, and the red color, besides its association with Chinese culture, it is also a symbol color in the Rite of Spring ballet dance, I linked above, the scarf that was passed around is in red, exactly the same hue of red as Nathan's SP costume.

I'm hoping that Nathan's costumes are coming later and these are jut placeholders until their done. I too think more color is needed in the FS and red would be perfect. Especially for the rite of spring portion.

I think his exhibition outfit from last year would be suitable for his SP. Short sleeves would be best.

 

[snd]

so i hated how empty his last season's lp was (the sp made it obvious he CAN do a lovely, transition-stacked program, after all) and i didn't expect anything from him this season.

however, i just saw his brand new lp. and now i want him TO WIN IT ALL. even though i adore seimei and still root for patrick, nathan should slay with this marvel of a program. the music choice seemed iffy at first. but no, the cuts do go well together and there are so many interesting choreographic nuances and details that i've never seen in anyone else's programs that i just want to send him flowers. with everyone else repeating their 'greatest hits' here's nathan who could, if he wanted to, just concentrate on his quads while ignoring artistry completely and, if clean, still medal at any event - but no, he goes out there with his two brand new programs (right? i didn't follow his junior career... please correct me if i'm wrong) one of which seems like an iconic GOAT program in the making. i'm so pumped.

slay, nathan, slay! may the oly gold of 2018 be yours!

 

[shine]

Here's a fancam of the SP filmed from a different angle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZaDen49gg
I personally liked it more than the Icenetwork video and thought you could see some of the moves better and helped enhance the impression of the program.

 

[sheetz]

so i hated how empty his last season's lp was (the sp made it obvious he CAN do a lovely, transition-stacked program, after all) and i didn't expect anything from him this season.

Last season was really an aberration though. There weren't a lot of expectations on Nathan because he was coming back from a major injury and it was his senior debut. So Zueva choreographed his SP but his FS was only done by his regular coaches. He wasn't expected to be a major player so he might as well just focus on getting used to competing again and landing his 4Lz and 4F. After all, that strategy worked for Boyang. But then somewhere along the way he actually started beating the big boys, and by worlds he was one of the favorites. It was pretty crazy how fast it all happened when you think about it.

In hindsight it was still a good learning experience. He now has the confidence to land his big jumps under pressure, and he knows how to train his body for a 5-6 quad program. And most of all he knows to always have spare boots on hand!

 

[sherlock trollmes]

I was thinking that he really has an advantage knowing what it takes to train a 5 (and 6) quad program, where as most of the other guys haven't quite experienced it over a full season yet. And everyone's body reacts differently, but having that knowledge should serve him well. I wonder what happens next. In that one video post SP, he said he hoped to have the lutz in by Skate America but I'd be surprised if it took him that long. The lutz he did in the LP was the best one I've ever seen him do. I know at the Japan Open, he'll only do a long program so I wonder if he'll keep the layout and try to nail the third quad or bump up the difficulty to four.

I can't get the music from his long program out of my mind, particularly the last piece. It's absolutely gorgeous. In one of the videos posted of Nathan being interviewed by press after the long program, Phil Hersh is there and I can't hear his exact question but it's something about the program composition and he finishes with, "Or should I call Lori and ask her" and Nathan responds, "You should probably call Lori" or something like that -I'm really wanting some information from both her and Shae Lynn about their time they spent with Nathan. They both gave him such amazing programs, I'd really like to hear from them about them - so I'm hoping that Phil writes something up at some point about them.

 

[TontoK]

I was thinking that he really has an advantage knowing what it takes to train a 5 (and 6) quad program, where as most of the other guys haven't quite experienced it over a full season yet. And everyone's body reacts differently, but having that knowledge should serve him well. I wonder what happens next. In that one video post SP, he said he hoped to have the lutz in by Skate America but I'd be surprised if it took him that long. The lutz he did in the LP was the best one I've ever seen him do. I know at the Japan Open, he'll only do a long program so I wonder if he'll keep the layout and try to nail the third quad or bump up the difficulty to four.

I can't get the music from his long program out of my mind, particularly the last piece. It's absolutely gorgeous. In one of the videos posted of Nathan being interviewed by press after the long program, Phil Hersh is there and I can't hear his exact question but it's something about the program composition and he finishes with, "Or should I call Lori and ask her" and Nathan responds, "You should probably call Lori" or something like that -I'm really wanting some information from both her and Shae Lynn about their time they spent with Nathan. They both gave him such amazing programs, I'd really like to hear from them about them - so I'm hoping that Phil writes something up at some point about them.

Well, he and his team are certainly being really smart about things.

After Vincent and Shoma rolled out quad-filled programs, he could have gone with "Anything you can do, I can do better."

But, instead, he stuck to the plan. He certainly didn't need five quads to win this competition.

I hope he just gradually builds the tech, and continues to work the PCS aspect of these programs.

 

[sherlock trollmes]

Yes! I'm so happy he stuck to the plan too. I remember when he was supposed to "take it easy" at 4cc. We all know how that turned out, haha. It's easy to get wrapped up in what everybody else is doing. I hope he just stays focused on what he knows he can do.

It's funny - all summer since we saw that clip from Sun Valley, I've built Nemesis up in my head to be this amazing program - and it is but I'm still not over how much his long program floored me.

 

[sheetz]

It's funny - all summer since we saw that clip from Sun Valley, I've built Nemesis up in my head to be this amazing program - and it is but I'm still not over how much his long program floored me.

I know what you mean and it's strange. After giving it some thought I think it might be because the program is choreographed to emphasize Nathan's dancing ability and elegant body movements rather than his jumps. Nathan's jumps aren't as big or powerful as some others, but his arm and upper body movements are truly among the most beautiful of any top skater, IMO. Even including the ladies. It kind of reminds me of his Best Day of My Life program from a few years back. It's got some pretty good technical content, but that's almost beside the point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU1GIANfu7o

His jumps are small and he doesn't have the most speed or deepest edges, but I've still watched it a million times.