Whether by timely coincidence or strategic planning to coincide with the release of the new film version, the skating world has recently seen a resurgence in the use of the Les Miserables score. Les Miserables has been used by each discipline over the past three seasons.
Representing the ladies, Yu Na Kim recently presented a flawless execution of her Les Mis free program at the Korean Figure Skating Championships, proving her technical prowess by opening with a soaring triple lutz-triple toe combination. What really stood out, though, was Kim’s interpretation of the music. Skating in only her second competition of the season, her music was a medley of many of Les Miz’s most familiar themes such as “One Day More” and “On My Own”. The music on its own is evocative of resolution and power, as well as tenderness, all of which the 2010 Olympic champion ably portrayed through her skating, which gave the melodies additional nuance.
Jeremy Abbott also chose to use music from Les Miz for his free program this season. Instead of skating to a bland compilation of themes, he uses a sweeping custom arrangement of the single song “Bring Him Home.” Although it is not a power ballad compared to the rest of the score, it is no less moving and emotional. Abbott’s interpretation appears very contemplative and introspective. Like the rest of his skating, each time he performs this program it seems as though he genuinely feels the emotion of the music and creates a significant moment on the ice, transient though it may be. Perhaps the best way to describe this program is haunting in its understated reverence.
Another man choosing to skate to “Bring Him Home” this season is Jonathan Cassar. While other current skaters have used Les Miz for their free programs, possibly owing to the scope of the score, Cassar opted to skate a briefer rendition for his short program. His version has a lighter, more unbounded feeling than the rest. Despite the time constraints, it beautifully showcases his signature spread eagles, and makes the viewer wish that he or she too could glide with the same limitless feeling.
Even before the 2012-2013 season, the pairs team of Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch (and former dance team of Isabella Cannuscio and Ian Lorello) used Les Miserables arrangements recently. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch bring an explosive style to their version of Les Miz. Opening with a strong triple twist followed by powerful side-by-side jumps, they use the intensity of the music to carry them through a technically demanding program. The dynamic nature of the music also provides the perfect backdrop for their extraordinary lifts. Cannuscio and Lorello’s program is also interesting, as it is the only one that can contain the original lyrics of the music, thanks to ice dance’s lack of sanctions on vocals. Similar to Moore-Towers and Moscovitch they match the energy of the music with their speed, tenacious lifts, and passionate performance.
One line from the stirring ballad “Do You Hear the People Sing?” is “Will you give all you can give?” As the 2012-2013 season moves toward some of the largest competitions of the season with Sochi 2014 ultimately in view, we look forward to seeing the skaters give all they can give, and seeing their hard work pay off.