World Figure Skating magazine No.70
Stéphane Lambiel v.s Kotaro Fukuma / Conversation
Translation: JYC & Taipeifollowers
Awesome「 Live music」!
Surprise Performance - Chopin "First Ballade"
- "FaOI in Kobe," the first day of the show when some situation because the ice show, once suspended, suspended during the show, Mr. Kotaro Fukuma special dedication among the surprise performance of Chopin "First Ballade."
F: Really unexpected. This is the first time I met such a thing, whether it is ice show or competition, I have never seen a situation occurs in the middle of the rink.
L: It seems that has happened before in the ice show.
F: Really? In that time we unrest behind the scenes. I joked with agent: "Maybe I can play the song during the wait." I didn’t expect the organizers side: "Would you like to play a song?" I answered, "My pleasure." All the audience understanding and enthusiastic response, and I just play the first note, the audience cheers (laughs), although these words by myself for a little cheeky, but I really feel so right for my selections. Because "First Ballade" is Hanyu’s track (last season SP).
L: Great choice.
F: "First Ballade," has always been one of my usual repertoires, so I'm very happy to play. But I only played a part, not been able to play the whole song. Because I need to tie schedule of the venue dressing, when the repair is completed, I have just finished playing. The audience gave me a very warm applause, for me, it's really special and very memorable.
L: Can hear you play "First Ballade" I am super happy, when the host announced: "Kotaro seemed to be playing a song for everyone!" When I heard, I immediately ran to the rink, and then just in time for you start playing, really great!
Everything begins with a chance encounter at Narita Airport
- Please talk about the story when the two first met for us
F: The beginning of the turning point was I told him accosted at Narita Airport, about 2013 of July, I met Stephane, at the moment I don’t hesitate to ask: " Are you Stephane Lambiel?", but I'm so excited, so I don’t remember what I said.
L: You say you are my big fan!
F: Yes, when I introduce myself and I was a fan of Stephane and Daisuke Takahashi, then we speak French, because I had lived in France.
L: I'm impressed.
F: After about one or two months, I have recital in Switzerland, so I contacted him. But he didn’t have time, but after the Geneva Victoria Hall concert, he came. It was a big concert to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Switzerland and Japan established diplomatic relations, and I played Stravinsky's "The Firebird" piano version. I am very pleased Stephane liked my playing. After the show, he said "Let us work together to do something about it!" I can’t believe, although the moment was answered: "If I can cooperate with skating performances, this is worth a happy thing", but I never thought it really achieve.
L: It was a really wonderful concert in Geneva hall, and you also play the "Ballade" right?
F: "Ballade" and "Pictures at an Exhibition."
L: Oh, yes, "Pictures at an Exhibition" also touched me, because I have never heard this song in the piano version.
F: In fact, most of the original version is piano version, after the orchestral version adapted from Maurice Ravel.
L: Indeed the case. After I heard the piano version of the whole song, I really feel wonderful. At that time I had already discussed with Kotaro and invited him to play in "ice legends", but have not decided the specific tracks, but in that moment, "Pictures at an Exhibition" into a list of my mind. I am also interested in what song he wanted to play, he chose George Gershwin's "Three preludes".
F: Because I have not been playing this song, I told Stephane, I want to try to make it to become my new repertoire. I would like to add a Japanese song too, so I propose "lullaby".
L: because "ice legends" is a celebration of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations Switzerland and Japan to commemorate the event. But also to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Russia, so we selected the "Pictures at an Exhibition". It’s a famous Russian song. I would like to cooperate with Kotaro in more music. Kotaro often get moved in skating, we (skaters) are also touched by the live performance. Can cooperate prominent artists like him, can skate accompanied by such a wonderful classical music, it is a great happiness. Although the same in skating, but will showing such a powerful interpretation of the show, live performance is more shocking than the recording. When I watched the ballet, I also deeply touched those with live orchestral accompaniment performances; live performances make performances more depth, and more to the show full of "live" atmosphere. Kotaro played my favorite music, and wonderful live performance provides a more powerful force for me.
- For Mr. Lambiel musical, talk about your views
F: His musicality and understanding of classical music always makes me so impressed. His own artistic requirements are very strict, meticulous, he is definitely a perfectionist. When we talk about music and interpretation is very interesting. At the rehearsal, I always ask his advice, "How about this?” What kind of tempo, what kind of playing strength, then through these details, he makes everything change dramatically, me too, like Rachmaninoff "Prelude," the ballet jump......
L: What are you going to say?
F: Don’t worry it is not bad to say. (Laughs) For this ballet jump, Stephane want to have a brief pause. Because this is a very important moment, so I changed some of the ways to play, not by tempo, but by changing the rhythm to achieve.
L: Ah, just to match my slow slip. (Laughs)
F: No. I think it should be called interaction, we feel each other's movements, naturally closer to each other.
L: This is what we have experienced
F: Yes, I can try something new, the same; Stephane can achieve a new interpretation. I think this is a deep sense of live collaboration. So I'm very happy I'm able to stand here.
L: Great! I love live music from the heart. When Kotaro accompaniment for me, I always look forward to be some subtle changes, how I want to go to the show with these changes. These are naturally occurring; really just at the moment, on this moment connects us together. For example, today I didn’t grasp the opportunity ballet jump very accurate, but everything becomes unique, because I have to seize the opportunity to work, and then we link up again, it's really great feeling.
- Just like the feeling of playing music?
L: Yes. Just like breathing. When we grasping both sides of breath, feeling really wonderful. Although only be used after recording to perform, but I will recall what I feel now, and blend in with the music. It is important behind the music is a living person, it must be conscious of when I slip.
Cooperation destiny- As a pianist, Mr. Fukuma has deep knowledge of figure skating. You also can skate, right?
F: I can slip a little bit, but completely unable to spin or jump. Stephane know. He read my skating video, but he still generous to invite me, "let me help (teach) you"! I said, "Please!", although no results since then.
L: Because I'm still worried! Your life, your body is very important. I have big pressure. Your fingers can’t get hurt; you have to wear thick gloves and a helmet. (Laughs)
F: Ah, I find you in the afterlife. (Laughs) But I like figure skating when I was young. My father had received guidance about Coach Nobuo Sato one year (Shinagawa rink) in the thirties. My parents also liked skating, when Midori Ito compete in the Olympic, and our whole family out to refuel. Chen Lu, Michelle Kwan, Slutskaya, Stojko ......, I have been watching the game. My favorite is a combination of skating and music. Sure enough, compared to the superb movement and jump, for a musician, I was more touched skating interpretation of music.
L: But skating and profound knowledge of Kotaro is different, my knowledge of classical music is very inadequate. I will not even musical instruments.
F: But I know you sing very well. (Laughs) You have musical talent.
L: I also hope can play the piano. Unfortunately, my fingers just don’t obey my orders.
- Cooperation on the future?
L: He has recommended the song to me, but what will be, I want to keep it secret.
F: About two months ago, I sent message to him, I didn’t want to disturb him without recommended music, but I've never heard anyone use this song in figure skating, so I sent a message to ask him "Do you know this song?”, now he was conceived choreography, song title is……
L: Can’t say it! (Laughs) I believe it is fate. Not the time right now, this song has the most appropriate time, such a thing not urgent. It is suitable for me or other skaters and I still don’t know, but definitely can be achieved. But not only the first, we have a lot of choice.
F: I recommend a lot of the list of candidates to him.
L: They have become the source of my inspiration. I like to listen to music. I often listen to Kotaro recommend to my song in the car to go to the rink. When I listen, my mind will emerge out of action, and the scene that who will slide. Kotaro, please give me a lot longer recommended!
-End-
Forgive my poor English~