in what i'd consider a rather ho-hum skating season (devoid of compelling storylines, save the resurgence of johnny weir, and full of sloppy, mediocre long programs, esp. in the singles and pairs), there is a bright spot. two, actually--the canadian ice dancers, tessa virtue and scott moir. this skate is too spectacular not to post.
though a very young team, they’re already earning whispered comparisons to torvill and dean. and it might be apt—the expressiveness and musicality, the speed and strength, the flow and simple, elegant lines that belie the intricacy of their choreography--reminiscent, yes, of torvill and dean. while most "modern" skating has taken a terrible turn toward high-speed contortionism and often graceless exhibitionism, virtue and moir remind us just how stunning figure skating can be, and what ice dancers should aspire to. their skating makes "sense" --no abstract melodrama here. no need to “sell” a routine with facial expressiveness. it's pure, skillful dance on ice.
the music--michel legrand’s “i will wait for you,” from the umbrellas of cherbourg soundtrack--is an impeccable choice for their style. they give that hauntingly lovely composition its due. the entry to and execution of their rotational lift (at around 4:13 on this video) is breathtaking, as is their soaring lift, perfectly timed to the score (here, at 4:31).
