We talk about what seems like an Olympic Moment for skaters. Post some of your favorites and talk a little about them. I'll start us off with an Oldie and a Newbie.
1. Mishkutenok/Dmitriev 1994. I can't right off think of any program that uses Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 better. At 2:07-10, you can see Natalya and Artur's movements soften practically mid-spin, as the music changes to a beautiful lyrical interlude, which they use to maximum effect, illustrating the music with their movement. Then at 4:08 comes what for me is a most spine-tingling moment, when the music goes dramatic and powerful. Never fails to give me chills. It almost seems like Rachmaninoff could have been imagining M/D doing those movements, and creating a thrilling conclusion to that program ... across time, when he composed the music. That's how perfectly their skating interprets the music. In addition, many small movements Artur and Natalya make throughout with their heads illustrate the music or utilize a beat. Even when Artur raises Natalya's arm near the beginning, it's done to accent a beat. If all that isn't enough, I love a bit of wildness in skating. This has wildness sprinkled throughout. So much passion from this pair! A perfect balance of athleticism, art and emotion.
2. Fear/Gibson 2021-22. Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson's FD to The Lion King. The 'disco Brits' go all out; they're so committed to every moment of the music and the program one hundred percent. They create split-second poses which form pictures from the movie (or play?, but in my mind the images are from the movie). Every once in a while, either Lilah or Lewis will make a cat-like movement, only for a second or two, but it's so effective. They dance the music and the characters. That stationary-rotational lift is stunning and makes a gorgeous centerpiece for the whole program. Then at the most emotional moment of the music, they have a gorgeous picturesque lift. I just came away so happy that it's (as near as anything can be) a given that Fear/Gibson will get to skate this at the Olympics. It's the kind of program that can make forever figure skating fans out of audience newcomers, whether they're live or via tv or stream!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkW2zQyRkwY - this is from Finlandia several weeks ago; the program has changed a bit since then.
What's your Olympic Moment skate?
1. Mishkutenok/Dmitriev 1994. I can't right off think of any program that uses Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 better. At 2:07-10, you can see Natalya and Artur's movements soften practically mid-spin, as the music changes to a beautiful lyrical interlude, which they use to maximum effect, illustrating the music with their movement. Then at 4:08 comes what for me is a most spine-tingling moment, when the music goes dramatic and powerful. Never fails to give me chills. It almost seems like Rachmaninoff could have been imagining M/D doing those movements, and creating a thrilling conclusion to that program ... across time, when he composed the music. That's how perfectly their skating interprets the music. In addition, many small movements Artur and Natalya make throughout with their heads illustrate the music or utilize a beat. Even when Artur raises Natalya's arm near the beginning, it's done to accent a beat. If all that isn't enough, I love a bit of wildness in skating. This has wildness sprinkled throughout. So much passion from this pair! A perfect balance of athleticism, art and emotion.
Mishkutenok & Dmitriev (RUS) - 1994 Lillehammer, Figure Skating, Pairs' Free Skate
Hamar, NORWAY - 1994 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Pairs' Free Skate - Natalia Mishkutenok and Artur Dmitriev of Russia placed 2nd in the Free Skate to win t...
www.youtube.com
2. Fear/Gibson 2021-22. Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson's FD to The Lion King. The 'disco Brits' go all out; they're so committed to every moment of the music and the program one hundred percent. They create split-second poses which form pictures from the movie (or play?, but in my mind the images are from the movie). Every once in a while, either Lilah or Lewis will make a cat-like movement, only for a second or two, but it's so effective. They dance the music and the characters. That stationary-rotational lift is stunning and makes a gorgeous centerpiece for the whole program. Then at the most emotional moment of the music, they have a gorgeous picturesque lift. I just came away so happy that it's (as near as anything can be) a given that Fear/Gibson will get to skate this at the Olympics. It's the kind of program that can make forever figure skating fans out of audience newcomers, whether they're live or via tv or stream!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkW2zQyRkwY - this is from Finlandia several weeks ago; the program has changed a bit since then.
What's your Olympic Moment skate?