Top Five Mao programs (Updated with Results and Tribute )

I just saw the new posts on the topic, and it reminded me that I never did vote! Sorry it messes up the tally... then again, I'm sure there will be more votes trickling in sooner or later too... hehe.

1. Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra/ Ladies in Lavender
2. Clair de Lune
3. Fantaisie-Impromptu
4. Nutrcracker
5. .... Tango

That was hard! I almost wanted to say Lieberstraum, but I don't know about it yet. Maybe after I see her skate it great it will make the top 5.

I love almost every Mao program so this fo sure will be hard..

1.Fantasia for violin and orchestra
2. Tango(ex)
3. Caprice
4. Bells
5. Tango(this season sp)

I think if Mao skates the programs + exhibition she has this season perfectly they might become her signature pieces and the best programs she will so far have skated... They are so wonderfully choreographed, better suited to her personality than almost any she has ever had made but with the addition of being more artistically mature than before. Asada is a young woman now, no longer a girl, and it shows.

I know voting is over, but I hope it's all right if I just post my favourites anyway... No need to count them.

In random order:
Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra / Ladies in Lavender
(seen live at Worlds this was just magnificent. Most appreciated short program of the audience by far)
Nocturne
(this program sort of introduced me to Mao. Even the Swedish commentator whose favourite skater is Yu-Na admitted in the broadcast that this was the best choreographed short program)
So Deep is the Night
(saw this live too and she was just ethereal, unreal almost)
Por Una Cabeza
(Mao showed she could be sassy with the rest of them!)
Ballade No. 1 in G minor
Most moving program I have seen for some time.

Aibhlin wrote:

Nocturne
(this program sort of introduced me to Mao. Even the Swedish commentator whose favourite skater is Yu-Na admitted in the broadcast that this was the best choreographed short program)

You know, it saddens me to know that this program is very underappreciated. The subtlety of Mao's movements, her ethereal grace and unearthly lightness on ice... This program had a lot to offer, it's a pity people don't see that because they are more enthralled by some of the more, er, flashier programs.

klarification wrote:

Aibhlin wrote:

Nocturne
(this program sort of introduced me to Mao. Even the Swedish commentator whose favourite skater is Yu-Na admitted in the broadcast that this was the best choreographed short program)

You know, it saddens me to know that this program is very underappreciated. The subtlety of Mao's movements, her ethereal grace and unearthly lightness on ice... This program had a lot to offer, it's a pity people don't see that because they are more enthralled by some of the more, er, flashier programs.

Really? I felt it was one of Mao's signature pieces. It's definitely one of the first programs most skating fans list when they mention Mao. It was also well received by both commentators and fans when she debuted it. On the other hand, I felt Clair de Lune is very underrated. Some people thought it was just another Nocturne, but I think the program showed a new level of sophistication from Mao.

aoi88 wrote:

klarification wrote:

Aibhlin wrote:

Nocturne
(this program sort of introduced me to Mao. Even the Swedish commentator whose favourite skater is Yu-Na admitted in the broadcast that this was the best choreographed short program)

You know, it saddens me to know that this program is very underappreciated. The subtlety of Mao's movements, her ethereal grace and unearthly lightness on ice... This program had a lot to offer, it's a pity people don't see that because they are more enthralled by some of the more, er, flashier programs.

Really? I felt it was one of Mao's signature pieces. It's definitely one of the first programs most skating fans list when they mention Mao. It was also well received by both commentators and fans when she debuted it. On the other hand, I felt Clair de Lune is very underrated. Some people thought it was just another Nocturne, but I think the program showed a new level of sophistication from Mao.

Yes, Clair de Lune too.

Maybe I was in the wrong side of the world, but one forum I entered were discussing 'signature pieces' of skaters and when someone mentioned Mao's Nocturne, other posters said that it was her one of her best, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Maybe I just judged from that.

aoi88 wrote:

klarification wrote:

Aibhlin wrote:

Nocturne
(this program sort of introduced me to Mao. Even the Swedish commentator whose favourite skater is Yu-Na admitted in the broadcast that this was the best choreographed short program)

You know, it saddens me to know that this program is very underappreciated. The subtlety of Mao's movements, her ethereal grace and unearthly lightness on ice... This program had a lot to offer, it's a pity people don't see that because they are more enthralled by some of the more, er, flashier programs.

Really? I felt it was one of Mao's signature pieces. It's definitely one of the first programs most skating fans list when they mention Mao. It was also well received by both commentators and fans when she debuted it. On the other hand, I felt Clair de Lune is very underrated. Some people thought it was just another Nocturne, but I think the program showed a new level of sophistication from Mao.

I like the program composition of Clair de Lune but the music rendition sort of grates on me. I don't know really how to explain it but the flute version sounds like more like a lullaby than other interpretations I prefer. I really wish team Asada had gone with a piano rendition.

I still cannot decide which program should I put on 2,3,4,5 because I like almost all Mao program. But for me, Noctune will always be my favorite Mao program since it contains everything I love about Mao. And it seems to me that no one could create a magic with this music like when Mao skated.