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Live from Moscow
Moscow Day 8: Lithuania, Moldova, Albania
Click here to view our gallery of today's rehearsals live from the hall.
Lithuania
Sasha Son starts at the piano in dark suit and fedora hat, and once again rehearses in English, despite earlier suggestions that Lithuanian or Russian might be a language choice for the song. He quickly leaves the instrument and takes to centre-stage for the rest of the song, with his final flame trick running smoothly for the final few bars, as he stands in front of the word Hope in huge, burning letters.
The stage is in cool, glittery blues on a black background, with the stage lit with simple spots, giving a dark, bluesy feel. Rolling piano keys fill the floating screens.
Vocally he is in strong form, with a control and power which still suits the laid-back, smooth vibe of the music. He vocab ad-libs well throughout, and gives an impassioned, emotional performance. One male and two female vocalists join him as back-up, and they sway blues-style to the side of the stage as Sasha Son performs.
The singer took charge of proceedings himself, giving instructions to the production crew about the lighting, stressing that the modulation is the most important part of the song and that the lighting should reflect this. Changes were subsequently made with floods of bright white filling the stage at the given moment.
Moldova
The microphone is not switched on for the first run-through, but this is soon rectified as the Moldovan song kicks off. And this song only builds in energy with each showing - surrounded by bold red folkloric designs rolling over every area of the stage, and graphics of folk fancing, Nelly and her dancers give an extremely polished performance, which receives a rousing reception from the handful of supporters in the hall.
Nelly treats the hall to the second vocally flawless performance today, her voice sounding note-perfect and powerful in the auditorium. She manages to maintain this quality and tone throughout her interaction with the dancers, who vigourously kick, jump and leap around her. The choreography is incredibly effective, starting with slow, rising movements in the slower introduction of the song, before bursting into an electric display on stage. Flashing lights in the most energetic parts of the performance only highlight this, making this a show which refuses to be forgotten.
Albania
Kejsi appears in a billowing short dress and immediately gets into things with a full run-through straight away. The electronica elements of the song are enhanced by the futuristic staging, including a dancer clad from head to toe in green glittering fabric. The graphic effects are red and linear, further giving the production a modern edge.
Kejsi herself turns in a polished vocal performance (continuing the trend this morning) and works well with her dancers in the choreography, which combines sensual and traditional folk elements. Two dancers in black provide a kind of folk-dance fusion routine as Kejsi interacts with the green-clad dancer.
The stage colours are overwhelmingly red, which sear into burning gold for the modulation. Behind the performers is a moltern starscape which ebbs and flows during the choruses.
Related polls
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Melodi Grand Prix
- Azerbaijan: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Milli Seçim Turu
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the final of A Dal
- Iceland: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Songvakeppni Sjonvarpsins
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the second semifinal of A Dal
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the third semifinal of Melodi Grand Prix
- Sweden: Vote for your favourite act in the first semifinal of Melodifestivalen
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the semifinal of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Bulgaria: Vote for your favourite act in the Bulgarian national final 2012
- Latvia: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Eirodziesma 2012
- Belarus: Vote for your favourite act in the final of EuroFest 2012
Go directly to the reactions
Recent news about Lithuania
Lithuania: First three acts to the final 12
Watch now: First semifinal in Lithuania 10
[UPD] Lithuania: Contenders in semifinal 1 announced 25
Lithuania: National final on March 3rd 5
Lithuania: National selection starts February 4th 7
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people relax this are rehearsals stop whining
LITHUANIA - I've been a huge fan of this song from day 1, but I'm really disappointed by Sasha's performance and the whole idea of delivering this entry on stage in general. I understand they're having some problems with the production, but still the stage act is very poor. Ah, I guess it'll be only studio version of Love for me from now on.
MOLDOVA - they're great on stage, no doubt about it. It's not something I'd vote for, but I cannot deny that they look really great on stage.
ALBANIA - What is the matter with Kejsi? She looks so stiff on stage. I thought the first rehearsal was bad because she had stagefright or something, but now she confirmed my doubts that she's scared she might fall while dancing. Kejsi, stick to singing only, not sure if that willl help you qualify either, but oh well...
Moldova is GREAT!!! 
What are you guys and gals talking about?
ALL THREE REHEARSALS WERE GREAT!!!
Well done, Lithuania 
, Moldova and Albania !
Best of luck!
Lithuania: A decent performance.I am not sure that he'll be in the final though..maybe he'll get the juries wildcart...
Moldova it's a powerful performance and an almost definite qualifier.However i don't like it at all...
Albania I was never a big fan of the song but now it has gotten worse!The dance routine is bad,the weird green creature too.And they try to make her look like Kalomira...
My Top 6
1- Normay, so unique, with rithym, happy, also etnic, I would say very nordic. I like it a lot, despite all the commetns.
2 - Iceland, is a very beautiful ballad, really love it.
3 - UK, aother beautiful ballad, but the song not so good, though the voice is so powerfull.
4 - Denmark, the song and the voice are great, very modern song, like it a lot.
5 - Spain, lots of rithym, soundable and catchy. Makes me want to dance.
6 - Portugal, the sweetiest song this year, so fresh, so melodic, love it, love it, love it.
morgan shut up dude just shut uuupppp
E.P i mean that here didn't worked video from rehearsal
Lithuanian video works already!
For Life -
I very happy, that you agree from my opinion
Lidia and Sasha be must go to final and occupy high place!
Sasha, your are already a winner!! No matta what place you will take! We love you! We respect you! We adore you! Your voice makes our lives beautiful! Thank you that you ARE!
Enzas - I think Lithuania will go to final ;-) his song is very beatifull and his voice is mhm... brillant
I hope will Poland go to final, because Europe don't appreciates this song 
I hold thumbs soundly too Poland and Lithuania )
i just remembered 4FUN with love or leave,everybody sayed that this song is brilliant but nobody voted for it in eurovision same can be and with this song.
For life course nobody gonna vote for him,nobody will understand him and etc...
well,now i think Sasha Son really can be last
Thomas Friderik
i will vote for sure i sayed that course i angry on that guy WE WILL NOT WITHDRAW!
Albania'll won
I'll send 12 messages (6 in semi-final and 6 in the final)
For Life - thanks
Enzas - please, don't stop voiting for Poland we need support from friends
I salute
I think Moldova will do well too.
Oh happy day! Oh happy rehearsal day! Three fantastic singers have performed. Three fantastic singers, indeed. No one is freaking about props, no one is more interested in backside shaking movements, no one is relying on the backing singers to carry their songs. I´ve listened to three great singers singing. Too many people have forgotten that it is still a singing contest. What a great Sunday!
Albania: the green guy is a bit weird.
Lithuania: nothing to say about the stage performance
Moldova: I like her dress.
I wish very good luck to Albania. Lithuania and Moldova!!
im sick of people saying kejsi's trying to be kalomira
firstly, if there is any resemblance in the choreography, thats because they have the same choreographer! so what!!
but kejsi herself being like kalomira? cmon, they are worlds appart! kalomira was cheery, jumping around, and her vocals were 50/50 live. kejsi isnt cheery or jumping around, she is more "solid", and her live vocals are a lot stronger
Best song from Lithuania ever!! I'd love to see in in top 5...it deserves it all! It's a pity that they didn't accept the video given by the lithuanians, anybody should be able to show what they want even if it doesn't "fit" the rest of the shows! Anyway, good luck Lithuania, this year you made a huge comeback!!
Moldova...naahh, I don't like it, not my kind of music, too ethnic! Great energy on stage though, Nelly gives her best!
Albania...that's a nice song overall, and the coreography is ok! Even Kejisi seems more mature and self-confident! Too bad for the weird spider-man-like green creature dancing near her...nyway, It should at least make it to the final in my opinion...
Good luck to all!
Marcin Krępski
yes they are! you are now happy? i wanted to vote for Lidia now i can't
Do Lithuania finally withdraw??
For life btw were are you from?
i thing Moldova wild be the real suprice, i ee in semifinal that song to take 4 - 6 place
My top 5:
1. Lithuania
2. Poland
3. Slovakia
4. UK
5. Turkey
Good luck all ;-)
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