Three months from today would be the first day of London 2012 Olympics competition. In the spirit of awe-inspiring, breakthrough performances, here's mesmerizing ice dancing from the incomparableTorvill and Dean that garnered 12 perfect 6.0s and six 5.9s, including never-before perfect scores from every judge for artistic impression. With that, the pair became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time (for a single program).
Jayne Torvill (a former insurance clerk) and Christopher Dean (a former policeman) met when they were teenagers at a Nottingham ice rink. The rest (as they say) is literally history as they became legends.
Unlike others who tried to dance on ice (the routine would probably be better on the dance floor) or skate to imitate dance (technically superior skaters not as passionate about the music), theirs was unique art expressing music through the beautiful blending of figure skating with dance. Every move was meaningful, not as opportunity for another trick, but to creatively interpret and punctuate the music.
Torvill and Dean had a music arranger condense Ravel's original Boléro from 17+ minutes to four minutes and 28 seconds (as close as possible to the Olympic rule of four minutes, plus or minus 10 seconds, for free dance). They then choreographed not putting blade on ice for the first 18 seconds to comply with (or get around the rule of) the timing of the skating routine.
I cannot take my eyes off their performance and never tire of seeing it again.
Here's to the spirit of the Olympics!
thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, I'm delighted if you enjoyed this post!
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ReplyDeleteThnx for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog, and I'm giving you a "Libester Award". Check it out here.
Hi Andrea, thanks so much! And I enjoy yours with the trips into the city and wonderful photography. It may take me until next weekend but I'll be sure to pass on the award! :)
DeleteI grew up watching the ice skating on TV as one would watch teh sports over here, many Russians were and still are superior skaters, so we rooted (sp?) for the favorite pairs. Oh, fun memories- thank you for bringing it back.
ReplyDeleteRe; Mona question-I tried to leave you a lengthy response on JCA and Blogger/iPhone ate it.:) In a nutshell, both leather and patent pairs were TTS for me length wise, a bit snug width wise but with a give in a leather- will stretch. Half size up in leather Monas slipped off my foot , so was no go.
Growing up, I loved watching ice skating on TV too. I had favorites for different reasons but you can count on the Russians for precision, technical difficulty and beautiful moves so I always looked forward to them. Did you like Gordeeva and Grinkov? Perfection on ice!
DeleteI'm happy this post brought you nice memories and thanks so much for your advice about the Mona. I'll be trying some in the poppy color in my normal size. ;)
Love, love, love this post.I grew up ice skating and probably saw this routine as a child, as it unfolded. We get excited about the Olympics, no matter the country and I love the Winter Olympics in particular. I didn't know all the details about the music, choreography (brilliant about the blades) or their background. They truly set the gold standard in ice dancin. Thanks for sharing. This makes my morning.
ReplyDeleteGigi, I'm thrilled you liked this trip down memory lane. My family looked forward to the Olympics too and we'd watch as much as we could, with animated debate (and booing) if we disagreed with the judges.
DeleteI think there's more interesting background ... at the time, music of different rhythms were often pieced together so skaters could showcase command of different steps (I remember hating the jarring music changes). T&D chose music as themes and why they went to so much trouble to keep the integrity of Ravel's composition. Though their routine was not the most challenging, the way they meshed and flowed was magical. This video does not show the best angle of some of their moves but it was the best quality I could find.
I love that they reveled in their Borevill and Clean reputation. ;)
P.S. What I love about T&D is that they make these (what seem like) simple, easy connections and exchanges but you think, "whoa, how did they do that?" or "how did they come up with that?!" If you enjoyed the Boléro performance, you will like this post!
ReplyDeleteI used to loooove watching ice dancing during the winter Olympics. T+D always rocked it.
ReplyDeleteIt was must watch for me too! Loved and still love them.
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