2017-2018 Program Music and Choreographers

Coco said:
I think the music was Frank's choice, but Kawahara was Kwan's choice.
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Sarah Kawahara did an interview not long after the 2001-2002 season, and she said Kwan came to her with the music already edited. I bet it was edited by Frank. I also think that's probably one reason why it wasn't the most inspired program from either Kwan or Kawahara.

I really wished Kwan had really started that season much more prepared than she ended up being with leaving Frank way before October of 2001 and going to Arutunian during that off-season and used choreographers she worked with before or would end up working with later: Phillip Mills (he did stunning work for her in the 1999-2000 season with two exhibitions/Morosov (he wasn't tired yet and was actually a hot commodity)/Peter Oppegard to do a new SP and a non-Schez LP. I think that season would have played out differently for Kwan emotionally and psychologically even if she still didn't win the OGM. The most jarring thing about that season in retrospect wasn't really losing the OGM but the whole vibe that season didn't really seem to indicate Kwan was in the best place. That the whole year seemed to be Kwan catching up to where she was supposed to be mentally and physically (I think her jumps were the weakest they have been in her whole career that season) and holding off contenders rather than being all gung-ho and ready to kill that season.
 
bardtoob said:
Linda Fratianne 1978 Worlds Freeskate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUdi2wHRwI

Michelle Kwan 2001 Skate America LP
https://youtu.be/D4b_TXCoFEg?t=241
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VIETgrlTerifa said:
Sarah Kawahara did an interview not long after the 2001-2002 season, and she said Kwan came to her with the music already edited. I bet it was edited by Frank. I also think that's probably one reason why it wasn't the most inspired program from either Kwan or Kawahara.

I really wished Kwan had really started that season much more prepared than she ended up being with leaving Frank way before October of 2001 and going to Arutunian during that off-season and used choreographers she worked with before or would end up working with later: Phillip Mills (he did stunning work for her in the 1999-2000 season with two exhibitions/Morosov (he wasn't tired yet and was actually a hot commodity)/Peter Oppegard to do a new SP and a non-Schez LP. I think that season would have played out differently for Kwan emotionally and psychologically even if she still didn't win the OGM. The most jarring thing about that season in retrospect wasn't really losing the OGM but the whole vibe that season didn't really seem to indicate Kwan was in the best place. That the whole year seemed to be Kwan catching up to where she was supposed to be mentally and physically (I think her jumps were the weakest they have been in her whole career that season) and holding off contenders rather than being all gung-ho and ready to kill that season.
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I don't understand why Schez is left on Frank's doorstep because Linda skated to it in the 70's? Michelle went from skating to music that practically no one heard of to skating to music that wasn't original at all. Even then the schez music wasn't bad, the program was just empty, not empty like the rest of her future programs but definitely on the way. The only thing that changed was her coach and choregrapher. Anyway.... back to next season's music. lol
 
bardtoob said:
Linda Fratianne 1978 Worlds Freeskate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUdi2wHRwI

Michelle Kwan 2001 Skate America LP
https://youtu.be/D4b_TXCoFEg?t=260
Click to expand...
Next someone goes on and on about the amazing spins, skating skills, and programs under 6.0 I am going to point them to these two programs. I get that it was a different era so I don't expect it to be the same and now, I just wish the revisionist history would stop. These two were at the top of the world and, no, the spins, skating skills, and programs were not better than those at the top of the world now.
 
Jarrett said:
I don't understand why Schez is left on Frank's doorstep because Linda skated to it in the 70's? Michelle went from skating to music that practically no one heard of to skating to music that wasn't original at all. Even then the schez music wasn't bad, the program was just empty, not empty like the rest of her future programs but definitely on the way. The only thing that changed was her coach and choregrapher. Anyway.... back to next season's music. lol
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Because of this:

http://www.goldenskate.com/2004/07/sarah-kawahara-interview/

Sarah: Frank Carroll and Michelle asked me to choreograph her Olympic program. Scheherazade was chosen by Frank and already edited. I chose the concept of Michelle portraying the storyteller. I had a book from my childhood of 1001 Nights that I gave to her to read. I had two weeks to set it and then worked with her a few times after it had settled in.
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Despite our feelings, at least not everyone thought the program was a dud. There used to be a video on YouTube that had Kwan's Schez and Yuna Kim's Schez side-by-side and outside the one minute long footwork sequence Kim had to do for IJS reasons, the programs and costumes were very similar and so were the placements of the elements to the same notes. Kim was obviously paying homage to her skating hero and won a well-deserved world title to boot.

Ok, sorry about going OT, I just needed to clarify where I read Schez was already edited by the time they went to Kawahara. Back to talking about this year's programs.

ETA: I just noticed I asked Kawahara a question in the above link...13 years ago...I'm old.
 
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mag said:
These two were at the top of the world and, no, the spins, skating skills, and programs were not better than those at the top of the world now.
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Linda had infinitely better figures than every lady today, and that was where she was most vulnerable in competition ;)

We all know that Michelle backed down from developing technically after the judges told her putting on makeup was good enough :rolleyes: Seriously, what type of message was that to give to an "athlete" in an Olympic "sport" :confused:
 
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chameleonster said:
Do you know who has used it? Chock/Bates used Concerto #2 which is a different piece entirely unless I misread something. This could be good music for them.
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Yup, it's different pieces than Chock & Bates. I really liked C&B's program... i just think this program didn't match to that couple.
 
Dobre said:
Yes. And wasn't it a nice change of pace among a flood of serious free dances set to piano music?
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I agree, it was refreshing but I don't think you can blame L/P for their music choice... in their first year they skated to a soundtrack of Amelie, this year they went for a Flamenco and next season classical, they're trying to be different every season and I think we should give them credit for this. Look at Papadakis/Cizeron they look pretty similar to me every season...
 
pinky166 said:
I think these sound like great choices for the leftovers! I seriously have so much hope for them now after they slayed at 4CC! They were just so gorgeous there :swoon: And now that China has 3 spots again they are likely to make it to the Olympics. Truth be told, I like them better than Yu/Zhang. I mean, Yu is utterly fabulous but until she can drag Zhang into ballet class with her and teach him how to do a proper camel spin, their partnership will continue to be lopsided to me...
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Hao Zhang still made a significant improved over how he looked back in time with Dan. He really was like lumberjack out there, now at least my eyes are not bleeding :D
 
It's not just Chock and Bates. C&B's FD itself was recycled from Shpilband's FD for Tobias/Stagniunas. It doesn't matter if it's different Rachmaninoff selections if the programs still look alike.

figureskatingforlife said:
I've heard that Shpilband won't be choreographing this program.
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Eh, having a different choreographer didn't stop C&B's FD from having all the usual Shpilband-isms.

When I see an original program from a Shpilband team, I will happily acknowledge it. Until then, I'll remain cynical.
 
clairecloutier said:
Ashley Wagner
SP Music: "Hip Hip Chin Chin" (reusing 2015-16 SP)
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I'm late to the party here, but seriously?

I know I'm probably in the minority, but this is why I am not an Ashley fan. Isn't she like 24 or something? She's too old to be shimmying and shaking her tatas on the ice, nor does she have the right body type for it.

Yes, I realize that she has a personality (which I love, off ice), so I don't know why she has to keep attempting to portray it in a superficial and forced "sassiness."

I'd rather see her skate to something strong and gutsy, which seems to be her real personality.
 
skateboy said:
I'm late to the party here, but seriously?

I know I'm probably in the minority, but this is why I am not an Ashley fan. Isn't she like 24 or something? She's too old to be shimmying and shaking her tatas on the ice, nor does she have the right body type for it.

Yes, I realize that she has a personality (which I love, off ice), so I don't know why she has to keep attempting to portray it in a superficial and forced "sassiness."

I'd rather see her skate to something strong and gutsy, which seems to be her real personality.
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It's an Olympic year, she was very comfortable with the program and she sold it very well. I think it's a good choice for her to get one new program, and focus on her technical scores. She will need them.
 
skateboy said:
I'm late to the party here, but seriously?

I know I'm probably in the minority, but this is why I am not an Ashley fan. Isn't she like 24 or something? She's too old to be shimmying and shaking her tatas on the ice, nor does she have the right body type for it.
Click to expand...

If at 24 Ashley is too old to be shimmying to Hip Hip Chin Chin, you'll find me out the back digging my grave... :p
 
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