|
|
|
Igor Korneliuk on work with A. Mishin
|
Excerpts from Dni (June 2003) |
|
|
Q: Igor, how surprising for you was Evgeny’s invitation to work
together?
I.K: The offer to write music for Zhenya came rather unexpectedly.
But I gladly agreed because I really like this skater. On the other
hand, the work itself was unusual. I had to deal with things that I’ve
never had to face before. For instance, Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin
comes in and asks me: “Here he needs to catch his breath, would you make
this particular part of music two seconds longer by shorting another one?”
And all that while keeping the same tempo and character of the music!?
I, in turn, ask him if he would explain to me how I am supposed to
make it two seconds longer? He says: “Somehow, would you? ” So, I’ve
tried my best to get it done this way. “Somehow”.
I had to redo the composition five times. I must say, I hate
doing that! If anything doesn’t go well, I never redo it. I just drop the
whole idea and start working on something else.
When I was going to show them the last version, I said to my wife:
“That’s it. If they don’t like it I’m not going to make any changes anymore.”
But it finally was exactly what they needed and Alexei Nikolaevich said
that Zhenya feels very comfortable skating to this music.”
Q: How did you convince yourself to redo it five times?
I.K: Alexei Nikolaevich did! He can even talk a dead one into anything.
Now I’ve realized that being a coach means being a mom, a dad, a producer
and a manager at the same time. For the first time in my life I was dealing
with a truly talented producer! |
|
Now we are considering the possibility of composing
Zhenya’s short program. And I’m already feeling the pressure coming
up from Alexei Nikolaevich.
I’ve been lately working on music for movies. Just finished working
on the soundtrack to Dostoyevskii’s “Idiot”, now the work on another film
is coming up. When Mishin keeps asking me what is going to be next,
he shakes his head saying – No, it’s already time to get started
working on Zhenya’s SP.
Q: And as for specifics of figure skating? You came to understand them
as you went along?
I.K. When Alexei Nikolaevich was explaining: “Here he has 3 toeloop…”
It wouldn’t make any difference to me – 3 toe loop, 2 toe loop… Once he
asked if I understood anything and I replied: "Nothing” - Zhenya
began showing me the elements of his program one by one right
there in my studio.
Q: At the show you and Zhenya performed together, you on the stage
and him on ice…
I.K: Quite possibly. It was then I got an idea – what if I write
a song and Zhenya would sing whereas I’d be the one skating.
Q: Have you already discussed it with Alexei Nikolaevich as your number
for the next show of Evgeny’s?
I.K: No, I haven’t. I’m not in such shape or age. One thing I would
say for sure: if Alexei Nikolaevich were my producer – I would have already
composed for Hollywood.
I am an optimist, though, and positive that one-day we’ll make it there. |
|
|
|
One of the world's
finest coaches, Alexei Mishin, brought up many young Russian skaters to
prestigious national and international levels. Once a pair skater
himself with Tamara Moskvina, he began his coaching career with ladies'
discipline. His students won the USSR National championship and medaled
at international junior competitions such as Junior Worlds. More success
came later when he started to work with men. Mishin's students could challenge
for international medals not only with their brilliant techniques
and jumps, but also with artistry and style. Alexei Mishin along
with his wife, Tatiana Mishina, train elite skaters as well as many promising
young skaters at their hometown rink Yubileinyi in St. Petersburg, Russia. |
|
Last
update07/06/03
Site
by Liza and Paloma. Open since March 8th, 2001
Note:
Some pages are still under construction
If
you have any questions or comments, please e-mail us: LIZA
or PALOMA
Photos
courtesy of Alexei Mishin, Koichi Nakamura, Eriko, Carmen Ederra.
Translations
& web design © Liza.
Sources
of articles are specified under each translation.
|
