A dive into Ravel's Boléro in Figure Skating
Love it or hate it? BolĂ©ro is a popular programme choice in skating ever since Torvill and Dean's iconic performance in the 1984 Olympics. This post gives a brief overview of the music itself, before taking a chronological look at various programs over the yearâs using this piece.
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Boléro was originally written for Russian Ballerina, Ida Rubinstein in 1929, with choreography by Bronislava Nijinska. While perhaps not Ravel's original intention, choreography for Bolero over the past century have often highlighted it's sexual subtext and Spanish musical influence.
An example is Maurice BĂ©jartâs choreography for Bolero, draws inspiration from the original 1929 production.Â
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS_WJmLGFrA&ab_channel=TColon
Boléro consists of a 2-bar snare-drum rhythm repeated insistently through a crescendo, with 2 alternating melodic ideas, passed between different instruments. The second melodic idea introduces more jazz-like influences such as syncopation. While mostly written in C major, and moves into a harmonically distant E major during its musical climax.
Torvill & Dean (1984 Olympics)Â
The most iconic skating programme will be Torvill and Dean's Boléro at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics. T&D's Boléro is an intimate, "Romeo & Juliet" style narrative, with an intensifying focus on the connection within the couple.
https://youtu.be/KNCSij0hUp8
Evgeni Plushenko (2020/2021 SP)
Plushenko does a more spanish-influenced interpretation of Boléro. His costume is reminiscent of a matador (bullfighter), and several pasodoble and flamenco-like steps and stylistic choices (E.g 1:50)
https://youtu.be/2nSfTiaWZg0
Michelle Kwan's 2004/2005 LP
Choreographed by Christopher Dean himself, Kwanâs BolĂ©ro is perhaps the antithesis to the T&D's original "Romeo & Juliet" interpretation, Kwan's BolĂ©ro is strong, spirited and feminine with fantastic use of dynamics.
https://youtu.be/JdM6yxjYli0
Evan Lysacek's 2008/2009 SPÂ
A more abstract interpretation of BolĂ©ro. It's strong, masculine and musical, with repeating chorographical motifs throughout. As Lysacek is Greek Orthodox Christian, one would wonder whether there is a personal meaning to the cross on his costume and his overall interpretation, but I donât think heâs ever confirmed or denied this!
Caroline Kostner's 2013/2014 LP
Kostner starts with a quieter section of Boléro, with a clean, joyful and sophisticated interpretation. The highlight is the subtle yet mature step sequence at the end of the programme (3:40)
https://youtu.be/SdQf7cabBjo
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva's 2014/2015 SP
A high-energy, free-spirited and perhaps slightly chaotic take of Boléro, with gypsy dance influences in both the choreography and costume.
Kamilia Valieva's 2020/2021 FS
Valieva does a more abstract, sombre take on Boléro, which she spoke of before as representing a snake. Perhaps a controversial choice among figure skating fans, it seems like she is still improving on the choreography over the current season. While some fans feel that this may be too mature for a skater her age, it will certainly be interesting to see how this can develop further!
Bonus Rhythmic Gymnastics routine!!Â
Bulgaria's 2008 group routine uses a flamenco-esque version of Boléro, with added vocals. The interpretation is playful and energetic, with a subtle folk influence at parts. The liveliness of the choreography is well-suited to the 3 hoops 4 clubs setup.
https://youtu.be/Rxq-QuADPkY
https://theconversation.com/decoding-the-music-masterpieces-ravels-bolero-a-sinuous-and-sexy-composition-with-no-music-in-it-149528
https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/magazine/ravels-bolero-from-stage-to-screen
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/22/how-we-made-bolero-christopher-dean-jayne-torvill
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