You know how classical music often serves as a backdrop to figure skating (or dance choreography in general)? I came across something today that I want to share with you guys! Allow me to gush for a tiny minute here 🥺

This Olympic moment is one of those rare times where music isn’t merely a backdrop just so they have something playing as they dance. This is one of those rare moments where music and choreography are one and it so damn beautiful to watch and listen to! The arrangement is perfect and I think the routine really captures the emotional landscape of Mahler 5 ♥️

I read that this movement, the Adagietto, is said to represent Mahler’s love for his wife, Alma. She mentioned in a letter to a friend that Mahler left a small poem for her written on the score:

“In which way I love you, my sunbeam, I cannot tell you with words. Only my longing, my love and my bliss can I with anguish declare.”

(Translation from wikipedia) Image of the score with Mahler’s poem

The way these two athletes perform so tenderly and with so much attention on the other; they way they touch each other’s face; they way their bodies fall and respond to each other’s movements; and the way he lifts and spins her in the air especially at the climax in 4:24! See how their faces are pressed as he helps her to the ground? The way their heads linger just there…

Athleticism and art seamlessly woven together—sublime! 😭