Nathan Chen | Page 71 | Golden Skate

Nathan Chen

A little more from SPUR Magazine. The title is "Inside Nathan Chen's Head." It looks like he gives comments about various things/people, including skaters, basketball players, and Benjamin Clementine. The skaters he's asked about are: Chan, Asada, Lambiel,and John Curry.
https://twitter.com/cannella4037/status/922371735344660480
I'm pretty curious what he has to say about all these. Hopefully someone will translate! :)
 
I'm pretty curious what he has to say about all these. Hopefully someone will translate! :)

I LOVE John Curry so I'm crossing my fingers that Nathan knows his programs. If Nathan could get a Curry camel or spread eagle I would lose my mind. If he doesn't know who Curry is I might personally force him to watch all of programs on repeat :biggrin:
 
Time to join Nathan's thread after lots of lurking! :)
In this interview, mainly about Kostner, Lori briefly speaks about working with Nathan: https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/queen-carolina-nuff-said/

Nichol also created the free program of Nathan Chen. “I absolutely adored working with him,” she said. “He’s one of the most intelligent skaters I’ve ever met. And the moment where we broke through that intelligence and went into the realm of living in movement and through movement was a very rewarding experience. “

Knowing a bit about Lori, she truly should have been inspired to come out with such a clever, gorgeously constructed masterpiece...really like it, I found the film and will watch it as soon as possible!
 
I LOVE John Curry so I'm crossing my fingers that Nathan knows his programs. If Nathan could get a Curry camel or spread eagle I would lose my mind. If he doesn't know who Curry is I might personally force him to watch all of programs on repeat :biggrin:

i heard that John Curry is Nathan's idol.
And a very knowledge Chinese fan tell me that beside Nathan, John Curry is the only skater who has used the rite of spring in skating (albeit a different song from Nathan's selection)
Here is John Curry's 1975 the rite of spring SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lvV5EdaDA

Can I say that I saw some homage, the similar body language styling to the music, the spread eagle, even some moves in Nathan's stsq , the use of head, and upper body and how spins are styled to interpret music.
 
Time to join Nathan's thread after lots of lurking! :)
In this interview, mainly about Kostner, Lori briefly speaks about working with Nathan: https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/queen-carolina-nuff-said/

Nichol also created the free program of Nathan Chen. “I absolutely adored working with him,” she said. “He’s one of the most intelligent skaters I’ve ever met. And the moment where we broke through that intelligence and went into the realm of living in movement and through movement was a very rewarding experience. “

Knowing a bit about Lori, she truly should have been inspired to come out with such a clever, gorgeously constructed masterpiece...really like it, I found the film and will watch it as soon as possible!

I just did an analysis of Nathan's FS music editing/chore in Chinese, it is truly a masterpiece from Lori, I cannot even believe it is from Lori due to her recent track record.

You really should watch the movie, Nathan's FS is very much storying-telling. Wait to hear more from your review of Nathan's FS after you watched the moive
 
I just did an analysis of Nathan's FS music editing/chore in Chinese, it is truly a masterpiece from Lori, I cannot even believe it is from Lori due to her recent track record.

You really should watch the movie, Nathan's FS is very much storying-telling. Wait to hear more from your review of Nathan's FS after you watched the moive

I will. One of the reasons why I'm so happy about the LP is the incorporation of "The rite of Spring". Tom Dickson, one of my favourite choreographers, was asked once what would it be an ideal program and he replied the Rite, adding that he never found someone who could do it justice (he also mentioned Curry's program as he likes him a lot...but who doesn't?). It truly would be nice to hear his opinion on Nathan's program this year.
Also, one thing I'm always been very impressed with is that Nathan has choreographed many of his EX programs by himself at such a young age.
 
I will. One of the reasons why I'm so happy about the LP is the incorporation of "The rite of Spring". Tom Dickson, one of my favourite choreographers, was asked once what would it be an ideal program and he replied the Rite, adding that he never found someone who could do it justice (he also mentioned Curry's program as he likes him a lot...but who doesn't?). It truly would be nice to hear his opinion on Nathan's program this year.
Also, one thing I'm always been very impressed with is that Nathan has choreographed many of his EX programs by himself at such a young age.

In my Chinese Analysis, the rite of spring is a crucial part of Story-telling in Nathan's FS. It is also used in the Movie as well.
 
I know from the informations I gathered from the various reviews. Out of curiosity, how is Nathan's program seen in your country (I assume, you're from China)? Thanks and sorry for bothering! :)
 
I know from the informations I gathered from the various reviews. Out of curiosity, how is Nathan's program seen in your country (I assume, you're from China)? Thanks and sorry for bothering! :)

All LOVED his FS. Many felt the sensation of hope, happiness and thriving in the end although somewhat suffering, struggle or longing etc feeling before that, very emotional yet in a way that is very relatable to Chinese.
 
But anti-fans are starting campaign saying that Nathan's FS is anti-China. which is ridiculous.
I think we had discussed a little about this on this thread.
After Nathan's COR win, it is now on its highest level, that is why I wrote an Chinese analysis of Nathan's FS.
But really, No worries, all real figure skating fans loves Nathan's programs this year very much.
 
I just did an analysis of Nathan's FS music editing/chore in Chinese, it is truly a masterpiece from Lori, I cannot even believe it is from Lori due to her recent track record.

You really should watch the movie, Nathan's FS is very much storying-telling. Wait to hear more from your review of Nathan's FS after you watched the moive
I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be too critical of Lori. I think in essence she's truly a brilliant choreographer who's just not always inspired by all of her patrons. Others might disagree, but I think choreographers also need the right subjects to demonstrate their true talents. In her case, it's clear Carolina Kostner has been her muse for the past decade and she has created masterpiece after masterpiece for her. She also did wonderful programs for Peng/Jin this year which I don't think is a coincidence as she really seems to appreciate Peng's artistic talent in particular. And I think if Nathan does decide to work with her again, he has the potential to be another one of her muses. Nathan has the musicality and understanding of movement from which masterpieces are born and they seem to really understand each other. Love that quote from Lori re: working with Nathan.
 
Like I said before, Nathan is just a choreographer's dream. Look at what he was able to accomplish working with Marina, Shae Lynne, and Lori. Three completely different programs, yet each one is memorable in its own way.

More pics:
Legendary coaches
https://twitter.com/00LT/status/922480626392903680

Nathan, Shibs, and Hanyu
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/922509529023119360

Nathan appearing in the window of a Japanese bookstore
https://twitter.com/mimion77/status/922712475128221698

Back at the hotel
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaljtxmBEwL/
 
Both programs are awesome. I think the choreographers went about it differently:

1. From last year's exhibition we know that Nathan is an excellent interpreter of contemporary pieces. Shae Lynn highlighted this in his short. She elevated it by including interesting movements and pushing Nathan's skating to live up to the intensity of the music. The virtues of the program are obvious.

2. Lori gave him a program that challenges him in a different way--and because the storyline is more complex and the program longer he'll need to grow into it. Mark rightfully noticed the choreographic highlights of the Rite of Spring footwork. He seems to have overlooked all of the wavy/circular movements of the first section or how they're reintroduced after the footwork and how those morph into more skyward looking moves, eventually ending in the triumphant coda. Nathan still needs more stamina to sell the entire program, but that has nothing to do with the brilliant music choice or the excellent construction of the program. Once Nathan hits the jumps and owns his Brian Boitano/Paul Wylie moment at the end people will get out of their seats.

Haha I agree with your analysis. I do like the fact that his sp and fp are different, and each capitalizes his ability to be its best.

His SP is the best I have seen this season so far in its originality and impact to the audience. It gives him a lot of boost to move up to the very top among the top men who tend to stay conservative, and makes up his short senior circuit history and reputation as rather a technical skater.

The FP takes him to a deeper level. I think Rite of Spring would have been too much for him (or any other skaters), but Lori brilliantly layered it within the film ost, which comes with a storyline, something tangible and personal, so that he can grab and ride onto it. He is alive throughout the program, even when physically exhausted at the end. Compared to the last season, he has improved a lot in transition and connecting moves, too. He probably has gotten more confidence in jumps. There is a room to grow and a stamina to build though, his focus and pace of growth is magnificent and promising for another leap in the next competition.

I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't be too critical of Lori. I think in essence she's truly a brilliant choreographer who's just not always inspired by all of her patrons. Others might disagree, but I think choreographers also need the right subjects to demonstrate their true talents. In her case, it's clear Carolina Kostner has been her muse for the past decade and she has created masterpiece after masterpiece for her. She also did wonderful programs for Peng/Jin this year which I don't think is a coincidence as she really seems to appreciate Peng's artistic talent in particular. And I think if Nathan does decide to work with her again, he has the potential to be another one of her muses. Nathan has the musicality and understanding of movement from which masterpieces are born and they seem to really understand each other. Love that quote from Lori re: working with Nathan.
I know it is Chen's fan cafe. But isn't it awesome that Caro works as a choreographic translator? Caro's intuition and patience help Peng connect with Lori and the program. She never had this luxury (I think) :bow:No doubt she blossoms and theirs are my favorite pair's programs this season.

The part I love about Nathan is that he understands a choreographer's intent quickly and maximizes her strengths. With Marina, he was a classic ballerino, with Lori he becomes a contemporary dancer. He doesn't waste anyone's talents.

Yuzu definitely looks comfortable and natural in his SP and LP. But, Nathan, as fresh, thus impactful as his programs look, needs time to mature with his programs, especially the FP. Nathan tends to do small short strokes to his later (difficult) jumps, instead of riding with the rhythm of music. I think he has everything that takes to make this program even shinier. It is only a matter of time. :cool:
 
I figured out how to purchase the Kindle version of SPUR from Amazon JP so I've read over the feature on Nathan. It'll take me some time to translate the whole thing so I figure I can do it little by little up until SkAm.

For the "Inside Nathan's Head" section I'll just translate what he said about the other skaters.

Mao: Her skating is really beautiful. And she herself is a beautiful person.
Training with Patrick: Seeing his skating, the way he bends his knees and his body carriage was truly valuable.
Lambiel: I watched his "Four Seasons" SP many times in order to get ideas on how to interpret music.
Curry: His "Ballet on Ice" from the '76 Olympics in Innsbruck was also a source of inspiration.
----------------------------------------------------

Team USA photo
https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/923009616543285248

There were surprisingly few photos of Team USA members at the banquet, as far as I can tell. The Shibs were in a few and Nathan did one with the medalists. But that was about it.
 
I figured out how to purchase the Kindle version of SPUR from Amazon JP so I've read over the feature on Nathan. It'll take me some time to translate the whole thing so I figure I can do it little by little up until SkAm.

For the "Inside Nathan's Head" section I'll just translate what he said about the other skaters.

Mao: Her skating is really beautiful. And she herself is a beautiful person.
Training with Patrick: Seeing his skating, the way he bends his knees and his body carriage was truly valuable.
Lambiel: I watched his "Four Seasons" SP many times in order to get ideas on how to interpret music.
Curry: His "Ballet on Ice" from the '76 Olympics in Innsbruck was also a source of inspiration.
----------------------------------------------------

Team USA photo
https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/923009616543285248

There were surprisingly few photos of Team USA members at the banquet, as far as I can tell. The Shibs were in a few and Nathan did one with the medalists. But that was about it.

:thank: I love that his ambition does not only extend to great technical content. That's a top notch list of skaters to emulate.
 
Here's the intro to the SPUR feature

An exceedingly fascinating figure skater
Do you know Nathan Chen?

Japanese figure skating fans will cheer for great skaters--even those who represent other countries. This universal figure skating love has come to be praised by the rest of the world. At the Pyeongchang Olympics, Team Japan’s greatest rival may be America’s Nathan Chen. Is he adored because of Japanese fair mindedness? No. The truth is that his radiance is dazzling and one can’t help but be captivated by it.

Nathan arrived in Japan the day before the interview. It wouldn’t have been strange for him to feel jetlagged for an interview first thing in the morning, but he appeared shrouded in a refreshing ambiance. His greeting was also hurried as he briskly moved to the center of the room. Along the way he gently removed the grey hoodie he was wearing and placed it on a chair. Then he stood in front of the camera without hesitation. His habitually favorite Nike “athlete chic” clothing brought to mind the young American men of today. It made for a very interesting contrast to his “Ice Prince” appearance. With his healthy, beautiful skin and an expression filled with confidence he struck poses one after another. In the blink of an eye we had decided on a cool shot.

The pages where this was taken from can be seen in this instagram post
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaolbqLnMyj/
-----------------------------
One more nice pic from the medal ceremony
https://www.instagram.com/p/BamIL9nArf1/
 
I cant' remember if this has been posted. Another Beverley Smith article on Patrick Chan where Nathan at RC was mentioned:
https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/patrick-chan-deletes-a-quad-for-now/

"Chen caught Hanyu in a weak moment, but Chen has stepped up the magic markedly this year, serious about improving all of his question marks from last year. In other words, his component marks. He turned to Shae-Lynn Bourne for his short-program choreography and displayed an explosion of body movement. He’s no longer just some kid with quads. He now looks like a powerful contender. His components were about four points behind that of Hanyu. And he’s 17.

He’s not making small steps this year. He’s making giant ones. He finished the short program with 100.54 points, breaking that magical barrier. He topped that last year at Four Continents (103.12), but this is early season. He knows there is lots of work to do. This is his first Olympic season.

Chen still doesn’t maximize his GOEs in the way that a Hanyu or a Chan can. But it’s early days and it will be fascinating to watch how he grows."

Love seeing the positive reviews he's gotten so far, though Bev got his age wrong (should be 18).
 
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