Granted, I'm a big W/P fan, but am trying to be as impartial as possible in assessing their new FD. No matter how I slice it, for me it's a work of art (I am so in awe of their willingness to challenge themselves with respect to different styles of dance).
WeakAnkles, are you aware that Max Richter's version of Four Seasons is not a rearrangement but a recomposition? According to Richter, he discarded 75% of Vivaldi's music. It's funny that the two criticisms you mentioned are some of my favorite parts of the program. I think what you are referring to as the cantilever lift is the curve lift where Kaitlyn is supporting pretty much 100% of her body weight. It looks like in this version, Andrew actually ends up holding her with only one hand, rather than two. Why not use it this season--it's spectacular and very difficult. I hate to go here, but there are more than a few dance teams who recycle lifts--and whole programs--season after season. I also love the diagonal footwork--it is fast and difficult, and they make great use of the new rule that allows a retrogression in diagonal and serpentine footwork sequences.
I hope I don't sound preachy, but I'm just so in love with this program that I want everyone to love it. Obviously, that's not possible. Ice dance has been my favorite discipline for a long time now and if I've learned anything, it's that to truly appreciate ice dance, I had to make a real effort to understand it. The beauty of ice dance is that programs really can grow over the course of the season, and actually with each watching of a particular performance. I'd love to know your thoughts, WeakAnkles, after you've seen a few more outings of Four Seasons.
WeakAnkles, are you aware that Max Richter's version of Four Seasons is not a rearrangement but a recomposition? According to Richter, he discarded 75% of Vivaldi's music. It's funny that the two criticisms you mentioned are some of my favorite parts of the program. I think what you are referring to as the cantilever lift is the curve lift where Kaitlyn is supporting pretty much 100% of her body weight. It looks like in this version, Andrew actually ends up holding her with only one hand, rather than two. Why not use it this season--it's spectacular and very difficult. I hate to go here, but there are more than a few dance teams who recycle lifts--and whole programs--season after season. I also love the diagonal footwork--it is fast and difficult, and they make great use of the new rule that allows a retrogression in diagonal and serpentine footwork sequences.
I hope I don't sound preachy, but I'm just so in love with this program that I want everyone to love it. Obviously, that's not possible. Ice dance has been my favorite discipline for a long time now and if I've learned anything, it's that to truly appreciate ice dance, I had to make a real effort to understand it. The beauty of ice dance is that programs really can grow over the course of the season, and actually with each watching of a particular performance. I'd love to know your thoughts, WeakAnkles, after you've seen a few more outings of Four Seasons.