Flatt has a new SP

[fan]

i love the 1996 exhibition version of michelle's eoe the best...when she was first announced as world champion and skated..magic.

[manleywoman]

I think Frank Carroll forced Shez on Michelle.

Frank Carroll used it with Fratianne, Kwan, and Lysacek. Anyone else I missed?

I think it would fit Czisny beautifully, but I have a hard time seeing Flatt doing it justice. We shall see.

[toddlj]

I, for one, am thankful not to see a cutesy-perky SP from Rachael.

[Satellitegirl]

I like most of the EoE performances Michelle did...but the 1998 Pro is my favorite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS3Fn...29A2F7&index=9 I think it should be what coaches show their student when they want to show how to really get into the ice and use your edges.

[IceAlisa]

I agree that the good news is that Rachael would have to rely on something other than cutesy posing.

The bad news...what DOES she have to rely on to pull off this program?

[floskate]

Kwan's East of Eden is one of her best SP, IMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb51K3GcGCE

Flatt will be compared to that (and will come up way short), but the bigger issue is that the music doesn't suit Flatt at all. Like I said earlier, this is a huge mistake.

I don't blame Rachael for wanting to skate to this - if indeed she did actually choose it which I somehow doubt - so I'm surprised at Nichol for suggesting it. I agree also that no one 'owns' music but as you say the comparisons are inevitable and it's not as if Michelle only skated to this a few times. It was almost thematic throughout her career. It was the opening of her 93-94 LP, the first incarnation of an exhibition in 95-96, then her iconic exhibition of 98-99 followed by her 00-01 SP. I have to say I prefer her '98 exhibition to the SP but this Nationals performance was so musically perfect; she was so 'on' the music that for me this is one of her best ever SP's and anyone, no matter what their skating and performance skills, would struggle to match it. I love that beautiful triple lutz also.

From a choreographic point of view, to me this music needs flow, deep edges, lots of MITF, clean lines, extension and emotion - none of which are Rachael's strengths per se, but qualities Michelle had in spades. Rachael displayed some of these qualities a few years ago in her beautiful Moulin Rouge exhibition with that gorgeous big Ina Bauer but will the CoP requirements for a SP allow her the expanse of movement necessary to do this music justice? I look forward to seeing what she comes up with.

[zippy]

I find it sad that many of you are trashing her new sp without having seen it. Music doesn't belong to one skater. There have been instances of iconic music being reused years later and the skaters having great sucess. Wait until you see Rachael's program before you decide she has or hasn't made a mistake.

I agree it'd be better to wait and see, and I'd love to be pleasantly surprised, but based on what we've seen from Rachael's skating it's hard to imagine that it's a good fit for her. On the other hand, this music fit Michelle so well it was almost like it was written for her, so that's where the potential for unfavorable comparisons comes in. I definitely don't think music belongs to any one skater and what Michelle did with EOE isn't untouchable, but if you're going to take on a piece of music that's so strongly associated with a particular skater it should at least be a good match for your skating style. For example, if, say, Yu-Na Kim announced she was using EOE, I'd think it was a good/interesting idea and would look forward to seeing what she could do with it. It could probably be a nice program for many lower-level skaters too, if they have good flow and can pull off lyrical. So from what I've seen of Rachael's skating I'm a little skeptical right now, but who knows, maybe the music will bring out something different in her skating.

[kwanette]

This may shock some but I had to google Kwans EoE to see what she did to it to make it untouchable. So in Rachael's favour it won't draw comparisons with everyone.

Certainly not with EVERYONE. My mother won't draw a comparison, but, then again, she died in 1994.

Wishing Rachael well.

[Jammers]

Bad news: Gee, how "original" (not).

Good news: I don't think that she'll have an opportunity to fan herself -- or make other cutesy moves -- with this.

Man those cutesy moves just make me cringe for some reason when she does them.

[Leeedward]

Rachel is a tremendously gifted skater. She has a brilliant mind, and seems to be a diligent worker. Until this season, she has been a dependable, consistent jumper. Injury aside, there are a couple of things that affect her negatively, which she might not be able to fully overcome. For instance, she appears slow, somewhat lethargic, even though she can fairly scoot across the ice. I think last year's programs were designed to give her a bit of pep and vivacity--more of the same for this season. (Not altogether successful!) Would it be benefit her to work with a dancer/trainer to get trim and toned, and a stylist to give her a sleeker, fitter look? There must be an answer for someone so gifted, brilliant and dedicated--and consistent!

[wintersportnews]

Good Luck Rachael!

http://www.wintersport-news.it/it_IT/3644,News.html

[ros01]

I completely agree that the Slutskaya method might go better for Rachael -- dramatic, lively, strong music that emphasizes athleticism and showcases jumps. I hope EoE works out for her, but we'll see -- it doesn't seem like a good fit to me either.

[Indra486]

Frank Carroll used it with Fratianne, Kwan, and Lysacek. Anyone else I missed?

I think it would fit Czisny beautifully, but I have a hard time seeing Flatt doing it justice. We shall see.

I'm calling it now...... Mirai

No, she just has a very small CD collection and refuses to leave that very small comfort zone.

I'm inclined to agree. I think it was last year that an article about choosing the right music for the Olympics was published. Lori gave her two cents saying that the "skating classics" are used over and over again because they're beautiful pieces of music that can be reinterpretation over and over again. That's what I recall. The problem with Lori is that she herself don't really reinterpret the music well.

I also happen to think she's a little snooty about music because she doesn't movie beyond the classics. In an interview with PJ (this is on youtube), Lori didn't have any intentions of giving the Pirates music to Mirai because it's normally not the type of music she (Lori) prefers. I'm once again paraphrasing from memory. However, she let Mirai have it because it inspired Mirai and gave her an extra spark.

In this same interview, Lori also talked about how she prefers to choose the music for the skater if she thinks the glove fits, even if the skater isn't too comfortable with it. Her reasoning is partially because she is the choreographer. I will say that when Lori is good, she is good but that interview made me

Has Lori had an original idea since Michelle left her? She seems determined to use all of Michelle's music on other skaters.

Her recent programs that I thought were great, that includes done-before music, were Aranjuez and Samson et Delilah for Joannie.

The only piece of music that Lori HAS NOT recycled is Belkis, Queen of Sheba, which wasn't really appropriate for Kimmie to interpret. The choreographic content, however, is what people have said to be a Salome-ripoff. I happen to love that piece music and I'd like to see it skated to again some day.

[Matryeshka]

^* This. If I were her team, I'd try her skating to some lighthearted, operatic beer-drinking songs, a la The Student Prince (they might want to leave Drink Drink Drink off in the table), La Traviata, La Dona e mobile (this would also cause an uncontrollable urge to clap among the audience), etc.

Though maybe with the right piece of music, Rachael could transform. Part of her problem is that she hasn't found a style of music that works well for her. EoE might surprise us all. At least her team is *trying* and is not blind to the fact that her SP is not working. Even if it doesn't work, I applaud Rachael for taking a risk and acknowledging when something doesn't work. After all, we bitched and moaned and whined and whinged about her programs last year, and this year, BOOM, different style. Can't say the girl isn't giving it her all.

*Refers to the post suggesting she go for the Slutskaya method. You people post too damn fast.

[PRlady]

Unfortunately, on the broadcast of that stunning pro-am performance, the commentator makes a comment about some skaters just "acting" instead of skating to the music. That fits Rachael spot-in, I'm afraid.

Watching that clip -- and I am not a Kwan uber -- I'm simply blown away by what a great skater can do with appropriate music.

I think the reason Rachael hasn't found her musical style is that she just inherently isn't musical.

[Frau Muller]

Man those cutesy moves just make me cringe for some reason when she does them.

She even managed to fan herself in the middle of her event-specific routine in the recent Disson 'Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular'!

[AxelAnnie]

Well, I am thrilled she is getting a new SP....however, to select what could be considered a signature piece of one of the greatest skaters of all time.................not so good.

Michelle was an artist on ice...........and that is what we remember and "see" when EoE music starts. Rachael who is a journeyman on the ice, can only fall short in comparison. To take on that piece of music, with the Kwan-ness it has, you gotta be a Cohen, Kim, Czisny (the one who stays on her feet) someone who could create a moment on ice that is as compelling and as beautiful as Michelle's. Rachael is just not that kind of skater.

[LuckyCharm]

I'm calling it now...... Mirai

And I'll bet a big shiny nickel that it will earn her an Olympic medal.

I'm inclined to agree. I think it was last year that an article about choosing the right music for the Olympics was published. Lori gave her two cents saying that the "skating classics" are used over and over again because they're beautiful pieces of music that can be reinterpretation over and over again. That's what I recall. The problem with Lori is that she herself don't really reinterpret the music well.

I also happen to think she's a little snooty about music because she doesn't movie beyond the classics. In an interview with PJ (this is on youtube), Lori didn't have any intentions of giving the Pirates music to Mirai because it's normally not the type of music she (Lori) prefers. I'm once again paraphrasing from memory. However, she let Mirai have it because it inspired Mirai and gave her an extra spark.

In this same interview, Lori also talked about how she prefers to choose the music for the skater if she thinks the glove fits, even if the skater isn't too comfortable with it. Her reasoning is partially because she is the choreographer. I will say that when Lori is good, she is good but that interview made me

The thing about Nichol is that she can do really great things with skaters who have a lot of artistic/interpretive ability and who can pull off a lyrical style well. If you're not that type of skater, she still gives you choreography like you are which usually just makes you look bad. Such skaters are much better off with someone like Bezic, IMO.

Her recent programs that I thought were great, that includes done-before music, were Aranjuez and Samson et Delilah for Joannie.

The only piece of music that Lori HAS NOT recycled is Belkis, Queen of Sheba, which wasn't really appropriate for Kimmie to interpret. The choreographic content, however, is what people have said to be a Salome-ripoff. I happen to love that piece music and I'd like to see it skated to again some day.

At that Queen of Sheba program. It was horrific.

[genevieve]

even if Michelle never used it, this piece of music screams "lyrical." there is nothing wrong with not being a lyrical skater. but i can't see how this can end well for rachael.

I didn't think so either, until I saw her "Imagine" exhibitionat SA. I kept thinking, where on earth has this skater been the last couple of seasons?!?! So I'm willing to wait and see and hope for the best. Or at least for the better - I'd much rather see Flatt attempt something lyrical than portraying a 9 year old in a twee dance recital, which is what the previous SP was.

When I think of it, I think of John Curry. I think Frank Carroll forced Shez on Michelle.

I always thought that was Michelle chafing under the Carroll/Nichol reins and wanting to strike out on her own, since Kawahara "choreographed" it (I think MK's Schez is a steaming pile of crap, and I'm a Kwan uber).

[modern_muslimah]

Unfortunately, on the broadcast of that stunning pro-am performance, the commentator makes a comment about some skaters just "acting" instead of skating to the music. That fits Rachael spot-in, I'm afraid.

Watching that clip -- and I am not a Kwan uber -- I'm simply blown away by what a great skater can do with appropriate music.

I think the reason Rachael hasn't found her musical style is that she just inherently isn't musical.

Well, I am thrilled she is getting a new SP....however, to select what could be considered a signature piece of one of the greatest skaters of all time.................not so good.

Michelle was an artist on ice...........and that is what we remember and "see" when EoE music starts. Rachael who is a journeyman on the ice, can only fall short in comparison. To take on that piece of music, with the Kwan-ness it has, you gotta be a Cohen, Kim, Czisny (the one who stays on her feet) someone who could create a moment on ice that is as compelling and as beautiful as Michelle's. Rachael is just not that kind of skater.

I think you two hit the nail on the head. When Michelle skated to that music it was magic. You really felt that Kwan was one with the music in that program. Watching yt vids of her Nationals SP created tears in my eyes. I know that might sound a little over the top but Michelle made EoE so special.

I don't know if Rachel can do the same. I've never seen a Rachel program that was simply magical. Maybe Rachel's program will be awesome. I hope at the very least it showcases her strengths (maybe some we didn't know she had). However, I think she'll have to showcase some of her personality and develop some lyricism in order to make this program work.