Pick the music you want your favorite skaters to skate to in the coming season!

[Olympia]

Tiny, I'm so glad you mentioned Aliona and Robin for the Brahms. I was thinking of them last night for this, because they can evoke a majestic quality. I also agree with you that Virtue and Moir would find this too similar to their Mahler of this season.

Since we're getting into symphonic music, the French repertoire has some lovely pieces. Ravel's Mother Goose has both rapid and slower rhythms, depending on how the cuts are made. The ending is just glorious. I'm also very fond of Saint-Saens' fifth piano concerto, especially the first and third movements:
First movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTPiKPfroMk
Third movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBuXe5BNDrY&feature=related

 

[janetfan]

indeed, it is beautiful and very complex. Like Mahler in that way. Virtue and Moir could do wonders with this, but I want to have them do something less similiar to Mahler for next season. Maybe Aliona and Robin?

I think you are right and that a good Dance team would be wonderful skating to this. :agree:

Olympia, I almost wrote "Clara Wieck" rather than "Clara Schumann."

BTW, I recently saw an interesting film "Copying Beethoven" with Ed Harris and Diane Kruger.
I recommend it highly to lovers of the Romantic era. The film offers insight into the creative process, copying/manuscript preparation and the long odds women faced in the 19th century trying to forge a career in the music world.

The portrayal of Beethoven in this film by Ed Harris is spellbinding!

 

[rtureck]

Clara Schumann had inspired 2 great composers (Robert Schumann and Brahms) .

I love Brahms music too, and he was such a perfectionist that he threw away most compositions, and only kept the ones that he thought were good. Anyone here like Brahms clarinet quintet? I think MK will be a good interpreter of his clarinet quinete

 

[Olympia]

Clara Schumann had inspired 2 great composers (Robert Schumann and Brahms) .

I love Brahms music too, and he was such a perfectionist that he threw away most compositions, and only kept the ones that he thought were good. Anyone here like Brahms clarinet quintet? I think MK will be a good interpreter of his clarinet quinete

You know you'd have me on board for that performance! I love all of Brahms' chamber music that I've heard. The piano quintet in (oh, give me a research minute)--here it is...F minor is also stunning. Here's the third movement, probably my favorite part of it, missing the first few notes but a really fine performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmvY--n5nTk&feature=related

Your comment about how he threw away a lot of his manuscripts...I've always imagined that if I could go back in time, I'd sneak into his house while he was sick at the end, the day before he threw all his remaining manuscripts into the stove. I'd substitute plain paper for the manuscripts and rescue them. Sigh...I wish someone had been able to do that!

Janetfan, I don't know that movie! I'll look for it. Ed Harris is such a wonderful actor, I'm sure he was splendid as Beethoven. You know what I'd love to see--a movie about Brahms in late life, possibly portrayed by Anthony Hopkins. He has the blue eyes, and he'd be able to evoke both the irascibility and the warmth underneath. Additionally, he's a musician himself, quite an accomplished pianist, and I bet he'd do his own "stunt playing" for the film.

The thing about chamber music is that it's a great untapped resource for skating. Good old Lori Nichol has managed to discover it, using that grand Dvorak trio for Michelle's "Song of the Black Swan"--thereby showing why I adore Nichol so much. Some of the French repertoire is ravishingly lyrical (speaking of Romantic in both senses of the word!), including works by Gabriel Faure and also Ernest Chausson's Concert (the French term for it...I don't know if it really translates as "concerto," because it's just a piano, a violin, and a string quartet). Here's part of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peJ1JcBvjBg&feature=related

You know I always imagine works like this skated by Michelle--something about the French repertoire suits her lyricism and slightly mysterious quality. I can also see Shizuka rising to the occasion, and Mao.

 

[ayayukiituka]

Olimpia, I love your second clip. this thread helps me a lot with finding great classical music

By the way, it's not suggestion. I'm just feeling like asking you guys.

Till Eulenspiegel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdljBugBiN4
Beethoven Symphony #7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMkbWq0MDg and
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMkbWq0MDg
Those sound like skate-able. So who do you think would suite which one?
(I bring them from anime called Nodame Cantabile.
And this site http://homepage2.nifty.com/medamacafe/J/nodame_yt1.htm has its music, which all is well-known. So if you visit it, you must find lovely piece.)

 

[Olympia]

ayayukiituka, I'm so glad you enjoyed the Chausson. I hope you can find all the movements of it--it really is sublime.

I was pleased to see you mention the Mendelssohn, because it brought back memories of Gordeyeva/Grinkov's 1988 Olympic long program. They skated to a medley of classics, beginning with the first movement of this symphony. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B0tSnQKzwo

Of course, like you I'd like to see a skater use just the Mendelssohn instead of mixing it with bits from Chopin and Mozart and suchlike the way G and G did. It's such a happy piece--maybe one of the younger pairs or ladies could use it. Actually, Suzuki could give it the sunniness it deserves, don't you think?

I can't think of anyone for the Beethoven right now--I'd suggest a guy, I think. The Till Eulenspiegel would be heaps of fun to see. Hmmm--Laura Lepisto? I love Richard Strauss. I agree with you that he'd make great skating music. There are bits from his other works that are stunning, and someone should really explore their possibilities instead of using things like Carmen again and again.

 

[Ren]

I want pair skaters or ice dancers to skate to Total Eclipse of the Heart (Glee version). Hm, maybe Tessa and Scott...

 

[Olympia]

They're showing Dances with Wolves on a cable channel today. It makes me realize that John Barry's sweeping score has a lot to offer for a program. (A related score is Barry's music for Out of Africa.) I recall Dubreuil/Lauzon's beautiful, heartfelt program done to Barry's Somewhere in Time and think that more of his music should be used. Dances with Wolves has both slow passages and at least one very rapid, adventurous section that portrays the buffalo hunt. I suppose the obvious possibility would be a male skater.

 

[rtureck]

Wow, I am totally impressed with the diversity of composers from Alkan to Zemlinsky. I agree chamber music is a vast resource. Olympia thanks for posting the Chausson, I am not too familiar with Chausson. When I think of him, as a reflex I remind myself bicycle / drive carefully. I only know some of his violin pieces.

I too agree that Beethoven's music suitable for male skaters. However there is an exception, Benedictus from Beethoven's Missa solemnis. The solo violin is so airy, like an angel floating above the choir and orchestra. I can see MK performing multipe falling leaves skating to the Benedictus. I can also see Mao Asada skating to Benedictus.

edited to post Mao Asada's bare feet falling leaf from Asience, she looks like a dove soaring high

http://www.maoasadafanwebsite.com/mesimages/commercials/ASIENCE.jpg

I love the theme to out of Africa for pairs

 

[brownfox]

For Yuna's SP - Hedwig's Theme piano version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_u2RO35z4

I love the lightness of this theme. It sounds magical and she can skate with softness on this which is the total opposite from Dance Mascabre, Bond 007, and Tango de Roxanne.

Now for her LP - Omar Khayrat's Athar Qalb - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDg34TUE7oY&feature=related
Because it's dramatic/edgy/unique different from her traditional LP.

For exhibition I suggest Hans Zimmer's Chevaliers de Sangreal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FyRZbqfeM&feature=related
Perfect story, perfect ending to a journey.

 

[Layfan]

Here is a gloriously beautiful and moving piece of music.
I came across this video which gives some interesting background and found it was inspired by one of the 19th centuries greatest pianists - Clara Schumann.

Here is Brahms 3rd Symphony, 3rd movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju7jb1rkyK0&feature=related

I thought of Jeremy or maybe Alissa skating to this because they can create such beautiful moments on the ice.

I am not sure if any skater could really do justice to this music.

To Olympia - if you see this hope you enjoy it.

I wracked my memory to think of a skater who could do _ or could have done _ justice to this piece. I decided on Kristi Yamaguchi. It's such a mature piece of music and Kristi was one of the most mature and polished skaters ever. But I also think it would have fit her style more than anything other skater I can think of.

It'd be really interesting to see Alissa have a go but I'm not sure I've every seen her skate to anything this abstract. Her programs always seems to be based on a character or some kind of obvious theme. Come to think of it, it would be cool to see her take it up a notch and challenge herself with a piece like this. Course, she has enough of a challenge with her jumps...

Now for her LP - Omar Khayrat's Athar Qalb - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDg34...eature=related
Because it's dramatic/edgy/unique different from her traditional LP.

This is an interesting choice. Could have been fun to watch Irina Slutskaya skate to this. When she was on and healthy, it's hard to think of a lady who ever skated with more energy and power. Seems more like SP music though.

 

[Olympia]

Almost forgot to post this! Schumann's Manfred Overture (this link cuts off the first few chords, but it has the piece all in one video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k62FXHytBaI

This is impassioned Romanticism at its best. It's twice as long as it needs to be for a competitive long program, but someone with musical smarts could cut it so it retains its shape. Listen to the variety of tempi in here! There's room for all sorts of moves, jumps, spins, and tremendous footwork.

Plushy could do it justice. So could Stephane Lambiel, though I gather he's retired again. I think Daisuke could certainly let loose with it! I can't think of a lady with the strength for it right now, except maybe for Joannie. Maybe Gedevanishvili. Irina could have torn it up!

 

[Tinymavy15]

For Yuna's SP - Hedwig's Theme piano version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_u2RO35z4

I love the lightness of this theme. It sounds magical and she can skate with softness on this which is the total opposite from Dance Mascabre, Bond 007, and Tango de Roxanne.

Now for her LP - Omar Khayrat's Athar Qalb - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDg34TUE7oY&feature=related
Because it's dramatic/edgy/unique different from her traditional LP.

For exhibition I suggest Hans Zimmer's Chevaliers de Sangreal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FyRZbqfeM&feature=related
Perfect story, perfect ending to a journey.

I love Harry Potter for Yu-na, although I prefer the full Orchesrated version.
I want her to really take a risk with her freeskate this year, I feel that her last two SP's have been masterpiece worthy, but has been more "safe" with her freeskate choices. Now that some of the pressure is off I would like her to revist a sutle piece (like Lark Ascending) and really show us how she has matured as a performer.

 

[hanca]

Not sure if someone already suggested this, but for Mao Asada:
Tomaso Albinoni - Concerto a cinque in D-minor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtoFfQ3JMD0

 

[Tinymavy15]

what about the Four Seasons Winter for Yu-na's Free? it is nice and light and upbeat but very complex and calls for some excellent Wilson chreography. I always wanted Jeff Buttle to skate for it for that reason. just no zebra dress please.

 

[silverlake22]

I want pair skaters or ice dancers to skate to Total Eclipse of the Heart (Glee version). Hm, maybe Tessa and Scott...

Another Gleek! Haha I like your idea!

 

[silverlake22]

what about the Four Seasons Winter for Yu-na's Free? it is nice and light and upbeat but very complex and calls for some excellent Wilson chreography. I always wanted Jeff Buttle to skate for it for that reason. just no zebra dress please.

I sort of feel like anything Vivaldi belongs to Carolina Kostner, or at least "Winter" definitely does. I'm sure Yuna would skate beautifully to it though.

 

[Ren]

Another Gleek! Haha I like your idea!

Actually, I stumbled across the Glee 'Eclipse' clip on Aunt Joyce's formspring. I don't think they show Glee in my country (at least, not on free TV, and I don't have cable). But something so fabulous should definitely be skated to.

 

[Olympia]

I know this is an exhibition piece, but it shows how quick tempos are as easy as pie for Mao. I can't tell you the finer points of who's superior in a comparison between Mao and YuNa, but I could watch this all day and keep finding new things in it. So I hope Mao can find another tango to skate to. The kid is pure magic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zUub8nGY1Y

 

[skfan]

was this the thread where someone mentioned elgar cello concerto as possible skating music? did i read that this music has already been used by a skater? i'm just curious to know how a choreographer may have cut this music.

i really wish i could see michelle kwan skate to it. or one of my other favorites, katia gordeeva. but she can't skate to it as a blonde, it'd be all wrong! LOL

for some reason kostner comes to mind when i think of this music. of course mao and yeonah (as well as others) could do an outstanding job, but there's something of a mournful tone to it, and kostner has more to bemoan in terms of her recent skating ^^ though i adore her and wish she would soon rise to her #2 ranking (for a good bit of last season, IIRC, she was #2 per ISU)

thanks to everyone who've contributed thoughtful suggestions. i've bookmarked this thread to keep learning about more music