If only music companies would open their eyes & realize that hearing music on youtube that we like, results in us BUYING IT. I can't tell you how many songs I've bought from hearing them in skating programs. Now no one will hear (or buy) this incredible piece.
The only male skater today who is an all-around "artist" (who listens intently to and can skate to any genre of music -- differently for each kind of music!) is Daisuke Takahashi. He has great edging, awesome footwork, enormous style through his entire body, and really "dances" across the ice. He can skate to rock, blues, opera, contemporary, etc. music and create a spell that I haven't seen in any other male skater in this era.
Thanks for posting this I saw Kurt in Edmonton several years ago. I remember that his feet moved so fast in the last part of this piece, they were just a blur.
Also, I think that if you would watch skaters also in shows (you don't even have to do it live, if you don't want to invest that much money, while not being sure if you will like any of the younger skaters), not only in competition, you would probabably discover that there are still some interesting skaters today, although rarely who comes close to Browning in the footwork area.
This performance actually set the standard for the new scoring system. Unfortunately, none of the current amateur skaters can compare to this. Kurts footwork is choreographed to the music. It would be impossible to set this program to another piece of music. Its sad that music interpretation is gone from skating.
Because the rules for competition programs are so strict today, that you can really get to know a skater/skaters only watching his/their exhibition programs. And preferably on real skating shows, not just in competition galas. Although I know that it's hard to really pay attention and to start liking someone if you have sort of taken it into your head that there simply can not be anyone as good as the old skaters anymore :). Believe me, I know how it is :).
@sk8trjess Of course, you are quite right. But I think that even today there are some skaters who have the artistry, as wel as the technique. They are just different than Kurt Browning (ony natural, since there can't be another Kurt Browning, probably just a weaker imitation of him ) - also in the sense that the more artistic skaters today don't put that much emphasis on footwork, but more on choreography as a whole, also on body and arm movements, and so on.
@sk8trjess As far as I know, the interpretation of music is still one of the official program components. Probably you just haven't paid that much attention to the current skating.
@boguswoman81 Technically, yes, music interpretation is part of the score. However, try setting this program to another piece of music. I don't think it can be done, unless someone were to tailor music to it. Most, if not all programs skated today can be set to any piece of music and it will "interpret" it rather well. Could be the fault of the choreographers or coaches, but skaters do have a say in what they skate. If they want to excel then they need to work on their footwork, not just jumps.
