@blackskatefree thank you SO much - I have now ordered a copy so will be able to hear it again properly, rather than the rather worn-out tape that was all I had!
Last few seconds were all skated on one foot.... amazing control. I couldn't even tell he was skating on one foot until 2-3 viewings. His skill was so masterful and invisible.
I used to watch John Curry at Richmond Ice Rink practicing his figures for hours. Figures were an important part of Ice Championships in those days. He did them beautifully. Good to see them here!
He was absolutely determined to succeed. He was given a few minutes of the ice to himself each day. Only five minutes and nothing would make him give that up. Nothing even a gold medal dance exam. He went on first and of ruined the ice for the poor examine but he did it anyway! That's dedication!
Now if anyone can tell me if it's available now on cd I will be eternally grateful. I used to have it on an LP recorded by Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the fields but that is long since lost.
This piece is quintessential John, and sums all all he wanted to do to making skating an art form. Here to me he achieved that goal. Others have commented on John's 'simple edges and basic skills': I saw a good example of that when John was filming a show for the BBC. During a lull while the technicians were moving the lights around, he came over to the barrier and amused us by spelling out 'j-o-h-n' on the ice, on one foot, without putting his free foot down.
Just a warning in case you don't want official-type attention being brought to your uploads: this video is being linked to from a New York Times article.
Try watching "After All" without the music to see how well Curry achieved the work he commissioned from Twyla Tharp (1976) while still retaining all ice skating technique including basic figures no longer in Olympics. But keep your eye (and camera) out for David Liu who brings similar skills and ambition to ice skating and dance. He may achieve Curry's dream of elevating ice skating to an art form.
I add that - apparenty there are advanced skills such as double axel and flying camel spin - but what makes this programme so special, I think, is the execution of these simple edges and basic skills - when he does these he moves me so much. I cannot take my eyes off - like a completely new kind of communication and expression, which is, at the same time so much about figure skating.
Simple edges and basic skills - but to be able to skate like this you must be an Olympic champion. But then not all Olympic champions can skate like this. Indeed, you must be John Curry to be able to skate like this and come up with this kind of tremendous piece of work. Groundbreaking. He is special. One and only. Even more than that.
How a beautiful. Sheer delight, surely the best British male ice skater we've ever had.
jimsgirl50 4 weeks ago
I was in Heaven for 7:36 minutes
kayskating 1 year ago
A study of figures. Perfection.
kamwrites 1 year ago
Zevran? xD
Grzesiek6000 1 year ago
Concerto 'Saint Marc' in B for trumpet and orchestra, composed by Tomaso Albinoni. There is a CD called "Concertos and Sonatas" it's tracks 2, 3 & 4.
blackskatefree 1 year ago
@blackskatefree thank you SO much - I have now ordered a copy so will be able to hear it again properly, rather than the rather worn-out tape that was all I had!
quillerpen 1 year ago
Briliiant John Curry was. Wish it would stop calling it ice dancing it is ICE SKATING.
starlight76able 2 years ago
People often forget just how good John was at school figures. He was not just a great artist and free skater - a true all round skater.
npe1 2 years ago 3
in my opinion... you will never find another skater in the world that will be able to do as great of edge work as john curry can do.
mackenzie01011 2 years ago 2
The best English curry of them all! Bravo! TY.
paulostroff99 2 years ago 2
Last few seconds were all skated on one foot.... amazing control. I couldn't even tell he was skating on one foot until 2-3 viewings. His skill was so masterful and invisible.
nolaughingmatter 2 years ago 6
how could not tell that John Curry was skating on one foot it is pretty obvious when he turned anyone can see that.
starlight76able 2 years ago
I used to watch John Curry at Richmond Ice Rink practicing his figures for hours. Figures were an important part of Ice Championships in those days. He did them beautifully. Good to see them here!
He was absolutely determined to succeed. He was given a few minutes of the ice to himself each day. Only five minutes and nothing would make him give that up. Nothing even a gold medal dance exam. He went on first and of ruined the ice for the poor examine but he did it anyway! That's dedication!
Euphobia1 2 years ago 7
Yes that is why they called it Figure Skating and had Figure Skating Championships.
starlight76able 2 years ago
This video defines exactly what our sport is about. Pure magic.
Thank you John Curry for this timeless legacy.
guso90210 3 years ago 2
Does anyone know what the music is?
DoctorSyn2 3 years ago
It's Albinoni's Trumpet concerto in B flat major.
Now if anyone can tell me if it's available now on cd I will be eternally grateful. I used to have it on an LP recorded by Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the fields but that is long since lost.
quillerpen 2 years ago 2
He will never be equalled.
DoctorSyn2 3 years ago
Every time I watch this, (dozens of times by now) I see something new, and learn something more,
Quillerpen, you are correct, This really does represent the summation of John Curry's art.
skatesindreams 3 years ago
In a class of his own. Always was , always will be.
mrgbennet 3 years ago 2
This piece is quintessential John, and sums all all he wanted to do to making skating an art form. Here to me he achieved that goal. Others have commented on John's 'simple edges and basic skills': I saw a good example of that when John was filming a show for the BBC. During a lull while the technicians were moving the lights around, he came over to the barrier and amused us by spelling out 'j-o-h-n' on the ice, on one foot, without putting his free foot down.
Now *that's* control of your edges!
quillerpen 3 years ago 4
Great story! His line is often lauded as the best, but I think his edgework is also what makes his skating so exceptional.
nolaughingmatter 2 years ago
Superb. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
riverhouse2007 4 years ago 2
Absolutely exquisite! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting.
iLikechevelle 4 years ago 2
Just a warning in case you don't want official-type attention being brought to your uploads: this video is being linked to from a New York Times article.
awartha 4 years ago 2
flyspeckle 4 years ago 2
Simple and beautiful!
assiolo 4 years ago
I, too, could not take my eyes off this man. Wish I could have skated with him. Regards From San Francisco
sherylbarcelona 4 years ago
I add that - apparenty there are advanced skills such as double axel and flying camel spin - but what makes this programme so special, I think, is the execution of these simple edges and basic skills - when he does these he moves me so much. I cannot take my eyes off - like a completely new kind of communication and expression, which is, at the same time so much about figure skating.
skatespiral 4 years ago
Simple edges and basic skills - but to be able to skate like this you must be an Olympic champion. But then not all Olympic champions can skate like this. Indeed, you must be John Curry to be able to skate like this and come up with this kind of tremendous piece of work. Groundbreaking. He is special. One and only. Even more than that.
skatespiral 4 years ago
Utterly, utterly beautiful. Thank you so very much.
ispiffey 5 years ago 3
Wheee! My fav fav!!!! Thanks so much! :-)
immieFSU 5 years ago
Exquisite. What a nice Christmas present. Thanks flo.
Julia
Julia3269 5 years ago