Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir

[ice coverage]

"Virtue says they're ready to rock the Bud" (Mar 5, London Free Press)

Virtue says they're ready to rock the Bud

By Ryan Pyette, The London Free Press
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 10:23:00 EST PM
http://www.lfpress.com/2013/03/05/virtue-says-theyre-ready-to-rock-the-bud
​

Ryan Pyette ‏@RyanatLFPress also tweeted:

Scott Moir said coach Marina Zoueva can "bring the sparkle" out of him and Tessa Virtue. Never heard a hockey player say that.
9:21 AM - Mar 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RyanatLFPress/status/308990591327432704
​

Pyette added in a subsequent tweet:

... I love Scott Moir. He's a quote machine.
4:15 PM - Mar 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RyanatLFPress/status/309094917291012097
​

 

[kelli16]

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

For others who couldn't watch the CBC broadcast, Doc Zone's "Ice, Sweat, and Tears" has been posted on Youtube. Super cute Tessa and Scott moments! (But aren't they all?!)

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXpssaVoGTE

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhHI14wMLxc

 

[ice coverage]

Many thanks, kelli and Doris.

On the same YouTube channel as the links above also is posted "Ice, Sweat and Tears," Part 3.

 

[dorispulaski]

The link to part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW0lDeJOr_o

 

[kittyhawk]

In the 2013 Worlds thread Imaginary Pogue posted the thought that we’re going to see aV/M balletic program in Olympic season. So I thought it might be fun to think of which ballets might be good fits. 

Obviously, Giselle is out. I don't think any of the Petipa ones quite suit, so no Raymonda, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and yes, no Swan Lake (too obvious). And can you imagine Scott as Siegfried? Solor? Florimund? He is a better fit as Basilio, but I can't quite imagine Tessa as Kitri. Though I would pay big money for Scott to ham it up (a la Ethan Steifel) as Conrad from the pirate ballet Le Corsaire.

Something along the lines of Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev score) is more their style, I think. MacMillan choreography (I prefer it over Lavrovsky’s).
Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca, balcony pas de deux (Act 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXeTOhrkLsg
Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta, morning pas de deux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4_9PLsd2CU

Kenneth MacMillan’s 'Manon', music by Jules Massenet.
Royal Ballet 2011 trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wctQ7DZhhXc
Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes, bedroom pas de deux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQrybViwcLE

Frederick Ashton's 'Marguerite and Armand', music by Liszt.
Kristina Shapran and Sergei Polunin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_23DeNdh0

Antony Tudor's 'The Leaves Are Fading, music by Dvorak'. Somebody *please* skate to this…
Leslie Browne and Robert Hill (ABT): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srTZxXVmsns

If they want to go 'Russian', 'Anna Karenina' and 'Onegin' have ballet adaptations. (Please look up a Russian ballet diva like Vishneva on YT. )

If they want a big, clap-along crowd pleaser, Ponchielli's 'Dance of the Hours' is a popular ballet within the opera 'La Gioconda'--if they don't mind competing against childhood’s Disney images of dancing alligators and hippopotamuses.
Letizia Giuliani and Angel Corella, Barcelona production (not safe for work): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aZcii9jwEw

I actually want them to do a program along the likes of William Forsythe’s ‘In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated’ (music by Thom Willems). But because their more modern/abstract programs like Pink Floyd and Carmen don’t fare as well compared to their more conventional Cherbourg and Mahler, they likely won’t go further down this route. They’ll probably play it safe next season.
Sylvie Guillem, Paris Opera Ballet (at 0:03): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLWDtbHNzxw
Sylvie Guillem and Laurent Hilaire, the fabulous final pas de deux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVWf-JDw8CQ

There are also contemporary ballets from Alexei Ratmansky, Stanton Welch and Christopher Wheeldon.
Ratmansky in rehearsal with Pacific Northwest Ballet for his work ‘Concerto DSCH’ (music: Shostakovich): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEtUn9Q-MhI
Wheeldon choreographed the Rachmaninov ballet ‘Sergei’ (Ilia Kulik) danced in the film Center Stage. Starts at about 1:38 for this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5nvARS2bus
Trailer for Stanton Welch’s poignant ‘Clear’ (music: Bach), Barcelona Ballet (formerly Corella Ballet): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDEgU7ME4M
Clip for ‘Clear’, with ABT’s marvelous Herman Cornejo partnering Kazuko Omori in a pas de deux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Khha1NISM

They could get inspiration from Balanchine’s numerous plot-less, dance-driven ballets. I say ‘inspiration’, because the Balanchine Trust is notoriously protective of his choreography…
‘Jewels ‘ trailer, Bolshoi Ballet production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHOa0eJ0NY8
‘Jewels’ (‘ Emeralds’) excerpt, music by Faure, (NYCB) Merrill Ashley and Gerald Ebitz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=612BYyU1f5s
‘Jewels’ (‘Rubies’) excerpt, music by Stravinsky, Houston Ballet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZafvqN2cHIA I love the ‘chicken wing’ arms, such fun!
‘Jewels’ (‘Diamonds’) pas de deux, music by Tchaikovsky, (NYCB) Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WOwWjwm-QY Olga Smirnova and Semyon Chudin also did a wonderful interpretataion of this for the Bolshoi.
‘Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux’, Patricia McBride and Mikhail Baryshnikov: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99tpTW-bxWk
‘Theme and Variations’, music by Tchaikovsky, (ABT) Gelsey Kirkland (sublime!) and Mikhail Baryshnikov (legendary!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgCareuuxK4

There are other ballets which might also be fitting for V/M, but who knows what programs they and Marina will come up with. It will be very interesting to find out.

 

[Olympia]

I was wondering whether you'd mention Balanchine. He's not generally thought of when citing ballets to use for skating, not just because his Trust is stingy about allowing any of his choreography to be reproduced but because he often choreographed to music not originally written for ballet. But I'm so glad you included him on your list, especially "Jewels." I'm glad you mentioned the Tchaikovsky "Theme and Variations" from his Suite Number 3. Both the music and Balanchine's choreography are sublime. I believe that this program is unusual because he choreographed it not for his own ballet company but for the American Ballet. Baryshnikov was a member of that company (ETA: or a freelancer for it) when he danced this with Kirkland, just as he was getting ready to join Balanchine's NYC Ballet.

There are actually a lot of parts in Tchaikovsky's Suite besides the Theme and Variations that might lend themselves to a routine for V/M. That second movement waltz is gorgeous, set in a haunting minor key. But I do agree that the last movement has tremendous richness. Tessa and Scott could use its polonaise rhythm for part of their program and glide over the rhythm for other sections.

One other Balanchine work that I can think of is "Tzigane," set to the Ravel music. I saw it on TV once, and it's an amazing piece of music.

I've always loved Prokofiev's music for Romeo and Juliet. I wonder whether it could be fitted into an ice dance program, but wouldn't it be awesome if that were possible? People always cite Ravel's "Bolero" as the most passionate music ever, but to me it pales next to the balcony scene from Prokofiev's R & J.

 

[kittyhawk]

There are actually a lot of parts in Tchaikovsky's Suite besides the Theme and Variations that might lend themselves to a routine for V/M. That second movement waltz is gorgeous, set in a haunting minor key. But I do agree that the last movement has tremendous richness. Tessa and Scott could use its polonaise rhythm for part of their program and glide over the rhythm for other sections.

One other Balanchine work that I can think of is "Tzigane," set to the Ravel music. I saw it on TV once, and it's an amazing piece of music.

I've always loved Prokofiev's music for Romeo and Juliet. I wonder whether it could be fitted into an ice dance program, but wouldn't it be awesome if that were possible? People always cite Ravel's "Bolero" as the most passionate music ever, but to me it pales next to the balcony scene from Prokofiev's R & J.

Yes, I agree about the richness in that movement. Makes me regret that Kirkland and Baryshnikov were before my time. Beautiful nuances. 'Tzigane' I've seen on the web. I think a performance from 'Dance in America'? Farrell and Martins again, if my memory doesn't fail me.

Anissina and Peizerat's 1998 Olympic FD was to Prokofiev's R&J, but I can't remember if they used the balcony scene music. I thought they skated it superbly (and definitely full of drama), but I also think that V/M's style would fit the roles better.

 

[Olympia]

Yes, Farrell and Martins danced "Tzigane," and it might have been televised on Dance in America. TV is where I saw it, but I don't remember the program.

Wouldn't you have liked to see The Turning Point with its originally planned cast, with Kirkland costarring with Baryshnikov, in addition to seeing the film as we know it today? If I recall, there was some reason based on emotion (either her individual mood or because of a tiff with Baryshnikov) that caused her to be replaced by the wonderful newcomer Leslie Browne, who was an assured and completely believable actress as well as a fine dancer. (I think Kirkland was considered the better dancer, but Browne was plenty good.) And she and Misha danced to the Balcony scene in that film in a beautiful, almost impressionistic love scene.

I can't remember what parts of R&J Annissina and Piezerat skated to in 1998, now that you mention it. They did a marvelous job, but the music bears another look for several reasons. One is that ice dancing has changed enough that the moves could now be completely different. Another reason is that Tessa and Scott would bring such a different interpretation to it. So I'm all for it!

 

[kittyhawk]

Yes, Farrell and Martins danced "Tzigane," and it might have been televised on Dance in America. TV is where I saw it, but I don't remember the program.

Wouldn't you have liked to see The Turning Point with its originally planned cast, with Kirkland costarring with Baryshnikov, in addition to seeing the film as we know it today? If I recall, there was some reason based on emotion (either her individual mood or because of a tiff with Baryshnikov) that caused her to be replaced by the wonderful newcomer Leslie Browne, who was an assured and completely believable actress as well as a fine dancer. (I think Kirkland was considered the better dancer, but Browne was plenty good.) And she and Misha danced to the Balcony scene in that film in a beautiful, almost impressionistic love scene.

I've never seen 'The Turning Point' film. Only the trailer and few video clips online. Yes, I do wonder what Kirkland/Baryshnikov R&J would look like. There *is* a YT clip of her dancing the balcony pas de deux with the Royal Ballet's Anthony Dowell. IIRC, Gelsey didn't believe that Hollywood could accurately portray what she did--that is, dancing--so she refused (although I don't rule out that there might have been personal issues/circumstances affecting her decision). I agree that live performance has a totally different feel from video. Which is why I think that if she and Misha could palpably affect me from their taped performances long ago, how much more electric would they have been live? I imagine that Virtue/Moir would be similar in that respect.

 

[Olympia]

I've never seen 'The Turning Point' film. Only the trailer and few video clips online. Yes, I do wonder what Kirkland/Baryshnikov R&J would look like. There *is* a YT clip of her dancing the balcony pas de deux with the Royal Ballet's Anthony Dowell. IIRC, Gelsey didn't believe that Hollywood could accurately portray what she did--that is, dancing--so she refused (although I don't rule out that there might have been personal issues/circumstances affecting her decision). I agree that live performance has a totally different feel from video. Which is why I think that if she and Misha could palpably affect me from their taped performances long ago, how much more electric would they have been live? I imagine that Virtue/Moir would be similar in that respect.

There are soap-opera aspects to the plot of The Turning Point, and Baryshnikov plays a real heel, but there's a lot of dancing too. Leslie Browne comes across as especially effective, because you believe she's a (really, really talented) suburban girl who rolls her eyes at her parents and whines a bit but was born for pink satin shoes. It's The Turning Point that kept me from going to see The Black Swan. I don't care how many months Natalie Portman trained (and I like Portman, mind you), the contrived photography (show just the head or just the legs; show a long shot) screams "fake, fake" to me. Once you've seen a real dancer walk, just walk across the room, you can't accept an actress who has been taught how to pretend. Browne's bones just bend differently, and it shows. If we ever get a skating movie made, I think our best bet will be to pick skaters who can act, not actors who are trained to skate a bit.

The Turning Point ends with a long sequence of dance excerpts from great dancers of the time, including Richard Cragun and Marcia Haydee. No Suzanne Farrel, alas, but Baryshnikov takes a few turns on the stage.

 

[kittyhawk]

It's The Turning Point that kept me from going to see The Black Swan. I don't care how many months Natalie Portman trained (and I like Portman, mind you), the contrived photography (show just the head or just the legs; show a long shot) screams "fake, fake" to me. Once you've seen a real dancer walk, just walk across the room, you can't accept an actress who has been taught how to pretend. Browne's bones just bend differently, and it shows. If we ever get a skating movie made, I think our best bet will be to pick skaters who can act, not actors who are trained to skate a bit.

I watched The Black Swan because I was really curious at how it would turn out (pun unintended, haha). The trailer had me quite intrigued—the intro with the bourre-ing feet, the dark stage and the white costume gave quite a thrill. Alas, quite disappointing film. Pedestrian dialogue. I was hoping for substantial lines and fleshed out characters, not the lazy scriptwriting, a laundry list of ballet clichés and cardboard cutouts for characters. The music was great—but then again, they were borrowing from Tchaikovsksy. In hindsight, if they had wanted to portray a dancer’s descent into madness in her quest for perfection, perhaps Giselle might be a better fit, what with the mad scene and all.

I’ve never seen a ballerina dance in real life, but I have watched lots of videos online many times. I agree—once you’ve seen how a real dancer moves, you can’t ever go back. I can certainly understand why Sarah Lane was compelled to speak out about her role as dancing double. There is a clip of her rehearsing Swan Lake with Angel Corella--he invited her to dance Odette/Odile with his company, something that ABT has sadly not let her—and you could see the purity of her classical technique.

Have you seen ‘The Red Shoes’? I much preferred it to ‘Black Swan’. Real ballerinas. Moira Shearer was great in the lead role. It looks dated of course, but the dancing is wonderful. I sort of wish someone would remake it—with real dancers, of course. Also, who needs ‘Black Swan’ if you’ve read Kirkland’s autobiography? Or are following the present-day drama at the Bolshoi after the acid attack on the A.D.?

Well, figure skating did have Lynn Holly Johnson’s “Ice Castles”… Cheesy romance, but she could actually skate and was a decent actress.

I am curious what sort of programs V/M and Marina will come up with. IIRC, Scott has indicated in a post-competition interview that they’re ‘not going back’..? Hopefully the programs will be for the ages.

 

[Olympia]

I have seen The Red Shoes: a delectable film with a real dancer playing the main character, and a look at that postwar London ballet world that was so full of artistic flowering after the privations of war. Moira Shearer was made for technicolor, with that red hair, and she was both a good actress and a splendid dancer.

I am so excited about what Marina will come up with. I hope it will lead to one of those moments that we all remember forever.

 

[kelli16]

I too think (hope!) Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde. It would be terrible to have these two never have a R&J program. Although, it does seem kind of obvious and predictable. Marina has said that she's known for a while what they would use, so that could be why they haven't already done it. I could also see her giving them some beautiful but relatively unknown piece and just letting them tell their own story, without characters. That would probably be the best set-up for another OGM. No one does that like the two of them!

In other news, since they declined to go to WTT (as did D/W), we've seen our last performance of Carmen. I'm going to miss it!

 

[dorispulaski]

They often create an exhibition version of either the FD or SD for the summer shows. I'm hoping there will be an exhibition version of Carmen.

 

[figuristka]

They often create an exhibition version of either the FD or SD for the summer shows. I'm hoping there will be an exhibition version of Carmen.

Would love to see some of the carmen program when i go to SOI.

I always thought R&J would be great for them. I know its another well used piece but no one can beat their chemistry and emotion they bring.

 

[ice coverage]

Someone on tumblr put together a very professional-looking and detailed infographic summarizing the history of Virtue and Moir's free dances:

http://midnightreignofjazz.tumblr.com/post/46357344608/summary-of-tessa-and-scotts-senior-fds-click​

Clicking on this version of the same thing will toggle back and forth between smaller and larger sizes:

http://midnightreignofjazz.tumblr.com/image/46357344608​

It's worth a look as an example of good design even if the basic list of FDs is familiar.
The images are well-chosen to show great moments of V/M performing each FD -- and to represent their musical choices.
(I like the fonts and the background colors too.)

 

[kelli16]

Marc Durand just tweeted this video from SOI last year. There are some cute behind-the-scenes moments!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MMlIfAFgA&feature=youtu.be

 

[Ravensque]

Thanx for posting that Kelli16. I never got a chance to see SOI last year, but that opening number was very enjoyable. I'm going this year. I hope they have something just a innovative. I love Kurt's group choreo....amazing. (It also helps that I'm a big fan of Adele as well )

 

[kelli16]

You're welcome! I'm jealous that you're going to SOI! Have fun! I wish I was Canadian so I could go to more events! Hopefully everyone will post pics/ video. I'm saving the travel funds for Skate Canada or Cdn Nats.

 

[Olympia]

Marc Durand just tweeted this video from SOI last year. There are some cute behind-the-scenes moments!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MMlIfAFgA&feature=youtu.be

Man, I am so in love with skating in general and Kurt Browning in particular.