#matsushiba taku

[thegirlwhorideslikeasamurai]

When did Viktor choreograph Stammi Vicino and did he commission the music?

This post is the first part of series of metas in which I analyse Viktor's free programme with the aim to find the likeliest explanations of the source material.

1. Did Viktor commission the music for Stammi Vicino?

Let's start with a piece of meta information from interviews with the YOI staff! According to Mitsurou Kubo, the aria is a piece of music that exists in the world of YOI, but it's unclear whether it exists because Viktor commissioned it or whether it existed before. Sayo Yamamoto instructed the composer of YOI (Matsushiba Taku) to compose the song in the style of an Italian opera from the 19th century using some prepared plot for the piece (I assume that's about the lyrics). But unlike Shall We Skate, Destiny of Nights, or The Inferno, which are from soundtracks of movies that we know exist in YOI, Stammi Vicino has never been explicitly labelled a song from an opera—neither in the anime nor in any interview.

Or in other words: The information the creators provided can be interpreted either way.

However, we have this:

Technically, the YOI creators might just have used footage of this programme because there was no time to animate Viktor skating an entirely different routine. However, since the creators had to condense to plot of YOI to ~50% of its initial size into 12 episodes, every scene and every image demanded to be filled with meaning. Instead of animating Viktor skating a different programme, they could have used a series of pictures that show adult Viktor in different costumes (like those that had been drawn for Yuuri's room), but they didn't do that either, which suggests that Viktor commissioned Stammi Vicino.

From a storytelling perspective, it would make no sense to combine Yuuri's inner monologoue about Viktor having music written for his programme with a short scene of Viktor skating said programme if he didn't commission the music. As Viktor’s fan, Yuuri knows which songs Viktor commissioned because skaters love to talk about these things in interviews.

This scene makes it seem as if Viktor has been commissioning music for his programmes for several seasons at least. While this doesn’t rule out the possibility that he occasionally picked a song that already exists for whichever reason, Stammi Vicino applies to Viktor’s situation at the beginning of the show so neatly that the lyrics must have been tailored to him. The commentator’s words while Viktor is skating his FS furthermore suggest that this programme shows a new and personal side of him. Of course, that could also work for a song that already exists, but how likely is it that such a song 100% matches the vision of a perfectionist? A genius like Viktor would rather think “Okay, that’s nice. But this verse and that verse don’t match my idea at all. I think I'll call my composer and ask them to write a song for me.”

Stammi Vicino holds unambiguous references to Plato’s Symposium, which the YOI creators have talked about repeatedly. And while this is neither an argument for or against the song already existing long before Viktor even thought about a new free programme, it seems too coincidental from a storytelling perspective.

To me, all this points to Viktor commissioning Stammi Vicino because taken all facts together, it’s what makes the most sense.

2. When did Viktor choreograph Stammi Vicino?

The first time we see Viktor wearing the Stammi Vicino costume, is right at the beginning of episode 1 at the GPF. While there is no rule against wearing the same costume for different programmes and costumes are expensive, you don’t see this often in real figure skating. Some figure skaters even get a new costume for the same programme mid-season because matches the purpose better.

The music, the composition and choreography, and costume build the concept of a figure skating programme. The more perfectionist a skater is (and many top skaters actually are), the more specific you can bet they are about the concept. Viktor is a perfectionist who has full authority over his programmes and he could probably afford having several costumes per programme. Wearing the same costume for several programmes would be a breach of his characterisation.

Could Viktor have changed his programme mid-season if he had set his mind on it?

Let’s assume for one moment that Viktor did indeed create Stammi Vicino because of his encounter with Yuuri at the GPF in Sochi. Why would the creators have put him into the same costume as he wears three months later at Worlds but designed costumes for JJ and Chris?

Does he wear the same costume because he met Yuuri there? Well, Yuuri approached him at the banquet, which is held on the last day of an event when competitions, medal ceremonies, and the gala are done. To reflect Viktor's first actual meeting with Yuuri in a programme, wearing suit like the one he wore that night as a costume would make way more sense.

Some skaters change their programme mid-season. Some switch back to an old programme, other skaters create an entirely new programme. If Viktor had indeed created Stammi Vicino because of his encounter with Yuuri (and with the costume from the GPF), the earliest time he could have started working on it would have been after Russian Nationals, which are two weeks after the GPF. The one week he has between both events at home, leaves him just enough time to pitch the idea to his composer.

For a top skater like Viktor, the one month between Russian Nationals (late December) and Europeans (late January the following year) is enough to practise a new free programme and win with it. There are a couple of skaters who are reckless enough to do that like Stéphane Lambiel who switched his free programme right before Worlds 2005 and won.

However, the show refutes this theory because Yuuri himself says that he started practising Stammi Vicinio when the competitions ended for him. That was at Japanese Nationals which happen to take place at the same weekend as Russian Nationals—at a time when he has already seen Viktor skate this programme several times in competition and had footage to use for his practice.

All the hints the show gives us point to Viktor having created Stammi Vicino at the beginning of the season that is still ongoing in episode 1. And there’s a beauty in this choice because it gives Viktor an agenda beyond his love interest. Well-crafted characters exist outside of their interactions and relationships with the rest of the cast. Viktor had a life before Yuuri and this life was lonely and his (secret) longing for love was an inherent part of it. Especially in a show that is limited to 12 episodes and in which every image is filled with meaning, including details that hint at the characters’ past are beyond precious.

I’m preparing a follow-up post that subjects the lyrics to a detailed examination. And I'm planning another and probably very long and very technical post that analyses the composition of the programme.

Thanks for reading! 💜💙

If you enjoy my meta, please consider checking out my works on AO3 (link in bio)!

[bngobongobb]

[rikeijo]

Today's translation #641

Go Yuri!!! Go official fanbook, Tominaga Keisuke's comment

Serenade for two

In case of this song, we purposefully made it 'doesn't it actually cross a line if it's about brother and sister?!' risky, by making the music Michele uses for his program a sweet and stylish love song in a style of standards from bygone days or old musicals. The man x woman couple from the lyrics is basically 'normal' though, so it's not that the song itself is in any way doing something that is forbidden (laugh). This song is so high-level and lavish, that it takes first or second place among all Yuri!!! on ICE music, when it comes to technique, time and effort, as well as financial cost it took us to create it. ...but in the show, we only hear it once (laugh). You should definitely give it a one more listen.

(+ Umebayashi Taro's comment) The call out line [I'm sure he means 'You mean the world to me, my lady~'] in the middle part of the song, and the interlude with a change of melody after that, is a part of the song that I'm particularly fond of. We eliminated repeats of melody, and made the rhythm less pronounced to compose a really dazzling song.

(+ Matsushiba Taku's comment) It's one of the best three compositions in the soundtrack, that I'm really proud of.

[Note: Why they put so much effort into a song that's supposed to be played once for quite a minor side character...? ✨✨✨]

[thelastcherry]

Victor woke early the morning of the first skate for the Grand Prix Final to go on a walk by the ocean, leaving Yuuri to sleep peacefully in the hotel room.

He heard sound of seagulls and the waves crashing on the shore. He felt the sea breeze and the early morning sun on his face as he stared out at the beach from the boardwalk. Wordlessly he raised his hand to look at the golden ring he acquired the night before.

Suddenly he was kicked aggressively in the back.

*Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick* “Victor Nikiforov is dead!”

He turned around to look Yuri in the eyes.

“Why do you look so happy to be looking after that damn pig?”

He took a step forward to confront the angsty teenager. “Did you want to compete against me?”

“Don’t be so full of yourself. Not all skaters look up to you. Just go away already, geezer.”

Victor grabbed the teen’s chin to take a closer look at Yuri’s face. A gust of wind blew through, rustling their hair around as they looked at each other.

Victor’s hand trembling, Yuri muttered, “The ring you got from that pig is garbage. I’ll win just to prove how incompetent his owner is.”

Victor cooly smiled as the younger skater pushed him away, “Let me go!”

Yuri slapped away his hand and took a few steps back.

A dog barks in the background on the beach towards the sun. The pair looks at the man and dog walking along the beach. Almost resembling the future Victor could have with Yuuri and Makkachin.

Victor narrates ~ If I’d stayed in Russia as a competitor, Yurio wouldn’t be this motivated to fight. And neither would I…

Seagulls cry as they fly in the air and Yuri walks away. He turns once again to talk to Victor, “This place reminds me of Hasetsu’s ocean.”

Victor smiles, “I thought that, too.”

He stares back at the waves and the rising sun in the distance. Yuuri, you may not realize this, but many others besides me got their “L words” from you.

[vacantgodling]

10 Songs, 10 People

thanks @outpost51 💛💛

Rules: Put your music on shuffle and list the first 10 songs that come up.

i always use my main liked songs but i do have kpop and the gazette sectioned off in their own playlists so if anyone wants to tag me again i can do those too lol

Adieu — Rammstein

Discord — The Living Tombstone, Eurobeat Brony (deadass forgot i saved this years ago)

Wherever You Are — ONE OK ROCK

In Those Jeans — Ginuwine

Underground — Peter Hollens

Desert Rose — Peter Hollens, Alaa Wardi

What About Now — Daughtry

Almavivo — Taku Matsushiba (Yuri!!! On Ice)

Iris — The Goo Goo Dolls

愛して愛して愛して — Kikuo (Hatsune Miku) — i am specifying tho that i’m putting the ado cover of this song bc girl’s range is INSANE and i love her sm

i’ll tag @kudzucataclysm @void-botanist @magic-is-something-we-create @henrike-does-writing-sometimes @lesbianakaashi @valeffelees @zeenimf @kingkendrick7 @jezifster @multi-lefaiye & bonus open tag so if you wanna have at it (no pressure tm)

[lonaami]

for your sake all my heart is bruised: a trigun stampede fanmix for a love which never ceases and an unending crusade to save one who is lost

longing - matteo myderwyk // speak to me - amy lee // geyser - mitski // la parfum de fleurs - ensemble FOVE & taku matsushiba // beautiful undone - laura doggett // love comes home - les friction // i love you - riopy // your world will fail - les friction // un amour impossible - joshua kyan aalampour // restraint - florence + the machine // big god - florence + the machine // stalker - iamx, kat von d // morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3:1. elegie - sergei rachmaninoff, sheku kanneh-mason, isata kanneh-mason // i come with knives - iamx // indoctrination - alter bridge // screaming silence - luca d'alberto

[yukichan-official]

Yuri!!! on Ice is a Japanese figure skating anime series produced by MAPPA. Directed by Sayo Yamamoto, script written by Mitsuro Kubo, character design by Tadashi Hiramatsu, music by Taro Umebayashi and Taku Matsushiba, figure skating choreography by Kenji Miyamoto.

#Yaoi#boyslove#yaoimanhwa#loveislove#boyxboy#yaoisoft#yaoikiss##boysloveboys#yaoimanga#yaoicouple#yaoiblcd

[fishyskates]

Listening to the yuri on ice soundtrack right now. The music is so beautiful. I cannot get over the incredible artistry that went into making this anime, from the music to the costumes and routines. I am so very sad we will not get anything else but am so grateful for the content we have. This music!

[doodlboy]

24 and 29?👀

24. cooking a nice meal

Hmm, I've never had a specific cooking song because I usually pick a playlist depending on my mood, but ghibli, firewatch, & yuri on ice music somehow put me in the mood 2 cook and/or clean much faster

29. calming your fears

Ok so- I don't calm my fears as much as I do that trick of "a monster wouldn't attack me if the music is silly enough" so- I play music that makes me laugh

[bluejayblueskies]

12

send me a number and i'll tell you what song it is on my spotify wrapped!

we've got it boys,,,, our first yuri on ice soundtrack song (it will not be the last) (there are so many)

[chainsawfam]

Chainsawfam’s Favorite Anime OST Songs (2/8)

Best Acoustic/Spanish Guitar

Hisoka’s Theme (Hunter x Hunter) • Il Primo Assessino (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind) • Eros (Yuri!!! On Ice) • Clavar La Espada (Bleach)

Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8

[fagsex]

the power this had on me as a young teenager who had never seen an ice rink in his Life

[spacepandar]

Thank you @ladytharen for tagging me!

shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist and post the first ten tracks: I only use spotify these days so here it goes…

“Chamber of Reflection” - Mac DeMarco

“Moonlight” - Kali Uchis

“Ladyfingers” - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

“Cariño” - The Marias

“Afternoon Waltz” - Taku Matsushiba

“I Can’t Compete” - Balkans

“Vic” - 36?

“Ahora Te Puedes Marchar” - Luis Miguel

“Telephone” - Vacations

“Last Dance” - No Vacation

tagging the following because i enjoy making lists and maybe you do too: @absolutebearings @scoundrels-in-love @ruby-red-inky-blue @oh-nostalgiaa @allatariel @jedi-bird @freebooter4ever

[rikeijo]

Today's translation #624

Go Yuri!!! Go official fanbook, Tominaga Keisuke comments

Piano concerto in B-minor: Allegro appasionato

The order was for 'music for an extreme program, that lets Yurio show off his high level technique to the maximum, and makes him dance as if he was crazy, a heart-braking program that makes use of his technique, physical strength and physical characteristics to the full'. That's why we decide to compose a difficult to perform piano concerto, that features violent changes in tempo and tone. It was an amazing performance conducted by Matsushiba-kun with elegant piano performed by Jitsukawa Kaoru and Ensemble FOVE' strings, brass instruments, woodwind instruments, and percussion.

(+ Matsushiba Taku) It's a piano concert in Russian romanticism style. B-minor is often avoided in classical music, but because Victor's Aria ~Stammi vicino~ is in B-major, I used it for the contrast between the two. In the show, we hear a few variations of this concert, a fuga for example, as background music. The beautiful and excellent performance of Jitsukawa Kaoru, a pianist highly praised both in Japan and abroad, and clarinet solo performed by Istvan Kohan are absolutely amazing. The expression 'allegro appasionato', that is a part of the title, is a musical term and it's used as a so called tempo marking.

[westiec]

I was tagged in the Last Song game by @lunetta-suzie-jewel so here's what's currently playing:

It was a Yuri on Ice kind of day 😌

Tags if you'd like to play: @bladedweaponsandswishycoats @theleakypen @withbroombefore @shadaras @aiyexayen @dirty-corza