Music For Next Year

[Tigger]

Okay Everyone....It's that time once again. Is there any music out there you'd love to see skated to period and/or is there a piece you'd love to see a skater/team do. Pro or eligible...The sky's the limit!!

For me....At the moment....(The list could get longer)

For an eligible skater or team...

Pirates of the Caribbean....So much wonderful music on that OST. The duel between Jack and Will could make for a killer footwork pass for someone.

The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King....Once again, so much wonderful music to use. Twilight and Shadow could work for a Dance team and I can see the music used during the Beacons sequence for one of the top Men. There's a part in that piece that just cries for a triple axel or quad to be landed on the cresnendo of it.

Hidalgo....I saw this a couple of weeks ago and fell in love w/the music. Will be getting the Soundtrack this week, but there's some wonderful pieces that would really work for someone out there. Only problem I can see w/it, is everyone's favourite sterotypical Egyptian/Middle Eastern arm positions used during the Arabic themed pieces of music. Other than that, this would be wonderful for someone to use.

Pieces for Skaters...

Great Big Sea's Ordinary Day for Kurt Browning

I adore the Boys from The Rock. I adore Kurt. This is my favourite song. Tie all three together and this would be magic. Only Kurt could do justice to the footwork the music calls for in this song. I keep hoping....:)

Josh Grobin's If You Say You Love Me for Shen and Zhao

The instant I heard this for the first time, Xue and Hongbo flashed in my mind. This would be perfect for them. It builds wonderfully and there's one part in the lyrics that goes...

There are times when I feel that I could fly for a moment in time...

The way Josh sings that.....Perfect for that sky high throw of theirs. It would so work for them.

Anyone else want to play? :)

[jcspkbfan]

There's lots of music I'd love to see skaters use, but the only piece I can think off the top of my head right now is the score from City of Angels. Really beautiful music and I can't believe no skater (at least none I've ever seen) has ever used it yet. I always thought this would have been a perfect piece of music for one of S&P's eligible LPs, but right now, I'd be happy to see any skater use it! :)

I'd also like to see more skaters perform to Barber's Adagio For Strings. I know a few skaters have already used it, but it's a really beautiful piece of music and not quite as overused as a lot of other classical pieces. I could live with seeing a few more programs to it over the years. :)

Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" and Seal's "Love's Divine" would also be on my list if Michelle Kwan and Brian Joubert weren't already using them for their newest exhibition numbers. :lol:

And even though it's a little late to make this suggestion now that B&E are (sniff!) retiring, I always wanted to see them skate to "Dude Looks Like A Lady." :P

I'm sure more will eventually pop into my head, but right now, I'll be content to see any skater perform to music that hasn't already been used 935 times before! :D

[DaisySmurf]

On the Josh Groban line, I think that "Remember When It Rained" would be a great program for a pairs team or a dance team. Seems like his music is MADE for skating ;)

Another idea is the Elvis Presley song just released a little while ago, "A Little Less Conversation." It would be awesome for a exhibition number for anyone.

By the way, this is my first ever post here! :lol: :D

Nicole

[twinsmom]

And even though it's a little late to make this suggestion now that B&E are (sniff!) retiring, I always wanted to see them skate to "Dude Looks Like A Lady." :P

I'm pretty sure I remember B&E using that music. Can someone back me up?

I also agree that Pirates of the Caribbean would be great skating music--I can't believe nobody has used it already.

[Tigger]

I don't remember B&E ever using Dude Looks Like A Lady, but I could be wrong on that one.

As for PotC....There were two Pirates programs at 4CC this year. One was a SP and the other a LP. I want to say they were both Chinese, but not sure. I know the LP was skated by one of the Chinese Men.

[Artemis]

For years I've wanted someone to skate to Miles Davis's music from his Sketches of Spain album. I think it would be perfect for either Jeff or Michelle. Another great piece for Jeff would be a selection from the Enigma Variations (since he did such a great job with Elgar a couple of years ago).

I've also always wanted to see The Lark Ascending (by Vaughn Williams) done -- it's one of my all-time favourite pieces of classical music. Apparently Angela did it a couple of years ago as her SP but I blinked and missed it ;) I think it would be a brilliant choice for either Sasha or Shen & Zhao.

There's a really silly song called "Take Your Girl Out to the Rink" by Mary Lou Fallis that would be fun for Jamie and David. There are also a few tracks on Diana Krall's new album that I'd love to see them do. But hey, they can interpret just about any style of music, they don't need any suggestions from me!

[jcspkbfan]

As for PotC....There were two Pirates programs at 4CC this year. One was a SP and the other a LP. I want to say they were both Chinese, but not sure. I know the LP was skated by one of the Chinese Men.

And here I was about to post that the reason why we haven't seen any POTC programs yet is because the movie came out too late. POTC wasn't released in theatres until July and most skaters already have their next season's program music chosen by then, don't they? I do vaguely remember seeing one of the Chinese men's POTC programs during the CBC 4CCs broadcast, but I can't remember whether it was the SP or LP...or which skater. :oops: I'm sure we'll be hearing this music a lot more often next season, though!

Twinsmon, the B&E program you're thinking of is probably the number they skated to "She Ain't Pretty" by the Northern Pikes a few years ago--he's wearing a skirt and a red wig, she's wearing jeans, a bandanna and a motorcycle jacket. "Dude Looks Like A Lady" would probably have suited the choreography just as well, though! :lol:

Another hilarious program I can imagine is Kurt skating to "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" by the Offspring. ;)

On a completely different note, Pachebel's Canon is another beautiful but not overly-used classical piece I'd love to see used more often in skating. I know Jill Trenary skated to a piano version of this music back in 1996, but I can't remember ever seeing a skater use the full orchestrated version.

Another idea is the Elvis Presley song just released a little while ago, "A Little Less Conversation." It would be awesome for a exhibition number for anyone.

The guys in SOI performed a group number called "Studz" to this song just last year--I can't imagine any other skater being able to top that interpretation to the song (at least in terms of eye candy, anyway!) :lol:

[icyboid]

I don't care what they pick, as long as it's not:

SWAN LAKE
Malaguena
Turandot
Carmen


I don't care if they skate to dogs barking "Jingle Bells", just so that I don't have to hear the DUN-dadadadaDUN-daDUN-daDUN-dadadadadada of Swan Lake again.

[Gold*starblade]

Although I have no preference as to who would skate it, I do have some ideas.

I would LOVE to see a synch team skate to music by the group Bond. I think that their style of classical is so well suited to synch.

Then as a lover of opera I would really like to see somthing done to Nessum Dorma, it is an incredible song- I belive that Josh Groban does a version as does Andrea Boccielli, to make it more mainstream. The Prayer would be another lovely operaetic type of piece that would make a lovely program.

And Verdi's Requiem and Ode to Joy are old classics that never fail to inspire me.

[Artemis]

Having just watched The Hours last night (I know, I know, I'm so behind on my videos), I was struck by how appropriate much of the music would be for skating. It would be challenging since it's all pretty moody and there weren't really any up-tempo parts, but it could be really effective.

Interestingly, I'm not usually a fan of Phillip Glass, at least not for "sitting and listening" to him. But as a movie soundtrack it was one of the better ones I've heard recently.

[triple twist]

Lord of the rings, all the way. I'm skating to 'may it be' by Enya as my slow this year! :bow:

[Tigger]

Oooh triple twist....I wish I could see it. If you were to do a LP to the LOTR music, what selections would you pick? There's so much good music there to use. It would make my head spin, that's for sure.

[Spreadeagle]

Although I have no preference as to who would skate it, I do have some ideas.

I would LOVE to see a synch team skate to music by the group Bond. I think that their style of classical is so well suited to synch.


It's funny that you say that--ITA that Bond is great for synchro, or any kind of skating. I had a program to one of their pieces too. But Bond has already been used by LOTS of synchro teams! In fact, I think it may be listed in a thread about what music should be retired from synchro. :) The Haydenettes were probably the first to use it, with their "Victory" program a few years ago, and since then many other teams have followed their lead.

[icenut84]

This isn't new music, but I'd love Stephane Lambiel to use Rhapsody in Blue for his LP. I listened to it a few days ago, and it struck me how effective if could be if Lambiel skated to it - I can really see him using all the crescendos and changes in tempo perfectly. I can see him really doing justice to it, with his style and the content and choreography he puts in his programmes. If he did it well, it could be really amazing. (And AFAIK it isn't overused - the only skater I can think of who's used that music is Ilia Kulik in Nagano, although I can't remember what sections he used, whether he used the most powerful ones or not.)

[Artemis]

^ Hmm, I agree that Rhapsody in Blue is a great piece of music for skating, and Lamiel could no doubt do a great job with it. But although it hasn't been overdone, I think some pieces of music should be retired permanently based on only 1, quintessential interpretation of it. And Kulik's version definitely fits that category, IMO. Others that fit that list include Bolero, Meditation, Love Story, Casablanca, Moonlight Sonata, and East of Eden.

[DaisySmurf]

Then as a lover of opera I would really like to see somthing done to Nessum Dorma, it is an incredible song- I belive that Josh Groban does a version as does Andrea Boccielli, to make it more mainstream. The Prayer would be another lovely operaetic type of piece that would make a lovely program.

And Verdi's Requiem and Ode to Joy are old classics that never fail to inspire me.

Didn't Meno and Sand do Nessum Dorma as one of their last eligible programs? I seem to remember it being pretty good.

The Prayer would definitely be a good program for a pair or dance team.

Did anyone here ever hear the Opera Babes "Ode II Joy"? That would be a great exhibition.

[evereg]

^ Hmm, I agree that Rhapsody in Blue is a great piece of music for skating, and Lamiel could no doubt do a great job with it. But although it hasn't been overdone, I think some pieces of music should be retired permanently based on only 1, quintessential interpretation of it. And Kulik's version definitely fits that category, IMO. Others that fit that list include Bolero, Meditation, Love Story, Casablanca, Moonlight Sonata, and East of Eden.Rhapsody in Blue is a brilliant piece of music, and I agree that Kuilk has the quintessential interpretation of it. Unfortunately, when I think of his program, my first thought is of his horrible shirt and vest. After, I get over that, I remember how brilliant his performance was.
;)

I do not have any suggestion for music for next year, but I do have a plea. Please, please, please, do not skate to Rachmaninov’s "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini". It is a beautiful piece of music, but so overused. Please let the 2004-2005 season be Paganini free! :frus:

Perhaps, it might be a good idea for choreographers and skaters to get some music suggestions from producers or music directors at classical radio stations. I often listen to the classical drive home show, "Disc Drive" on CBC radio. Their selection is wonderfully varied and unique. I am sure that they could be a good resource to any skater wanting to move beyond "Paganini".

[Artemis]

I wonder if the "done-to-death" music selections, particularly classical music, are in an effort to draw the audience in? In a perfect world good music is recognized as good music, whether or not it's familiar. But perhaps skaters (and/or their coaches and choreographers) think that, on the part of the general audience, familiarity breeds excitement rather than contempt.

p.s. I couldn't survive my commute home without my daily dose of Disc Drive, even if Jurgen Gothe is a bit of a goof. The morning drive-time show, Music and Company, is equally critical for my day's success. And both shows post their complete playlists online, which is great when you hear a particular piece that you really like and want to track down.

[evereg]

I wonder if the "done-to-death" music selections, particularly classical music, are in an effort to draw the audience in? In a perfect world good music is recognized as good music, whether or not it's familiar. But perhaps skaters (and/or their coaches and choreographers) think that, on the part of the general audience, familiarity breeds excitement rather than contempt.
On the one hand, I can see your point about using a familiar piece to draw people in. However, I think that that is playing it safe. I never heard the soundtrack from the Bruce Lee story before Elvis skated to it. I immediately loved it. Same goes with the music that Germany's W & S used when they won their World title. I immediately loved that piece of music, and it draw me into their program.

On other hand, I wonder if "done-to-death" music selections are the results of limited music knowledge on the part of the skater or the choreographer. Looking for a different selection of classical music can be overwhelming. Personally, I am overwhelmed in a music or record store with a large classical music section – like Sam’s in downtown Toronto. I tend to look at the music that I am familiar with, and I do not look for something new. However, at times when I have asked for help from the staff, and they have been able to help me find different selections. I wonder if something similar happens in skating. Not knowing where to look for a new unfamiliar piece of music, skaters use something familiar. (Just speculation on my part, but I have often wonder that.) That is why I think getting help from someone, with a classical or jazz music education, could be advantageous. Their music knowledge would go far beyond the popular pieces.

[3Loop3Loop]

Some pieces I would like to see used-

"Nightingales" by Yanni- Ye Bin Mok? Amber Corwin?
"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" by Bach- Parker Pennington?
"X-Files Theme"- Scott Smith? Johnny Weir?
"Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" by Vanessa Mae- Michelle Kwan?
"Rustle of Spring"- Sasha Cohen?

[jcspkbfan]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but after seeing the previews for the movie "Troy," I've already become a fan of the music! I just had to bump this thread back up after hearing the film score since I'm sure we'll be listening to it at least a few times next season. :lol: The new Josh Groban duet (I should know the name of the other singer, but it escapes me at the moment) in the movie should also be added to the list of "Josh Groban songs that should definitely be skated to," IMO.

I also rewatched "Mr. Holland's Opus" a few weeks ago and thought "Rowena's Theme" would be a lovely piece of music for a pairs or ladies' SP. :) Another piece of music I can't believe no skater (at least not one I've ever seen) has ever used yet.

[Tigger]

Was listening to some CD's I haven't had out for awhile the other night and I forgot what a beautiful soundtrack and music Dances W/Wolves has. To my knowledge, Brasseur and Eisler are the only ones who have used any of it and it's really lovely music. Would make a wonderful LP for someone out there.

Another one that to my knowledge has only been used once, but just cries skating music is from Star Trek : First Contact. Jodeyne Higgins and Sean Rice used it in one of their final competitive LP's a few years ago and I was so excited a skater/team had discovered it!! It's the title track to the movie and in the right hands and blades....Ooooh!!! :)

[jcspkbfan]

Was listening to some CD's I haven't had out for awhile the other night and I forgot what a beautiful soundtrack and music Dances W/Wolves has. To my knowledge, Brasseur and Eisler are the only ones who have used any of it and it's really lovely music. Would make a wonderful LP for someone out there.

When did B&E skate to the Dances With Wolves soundtrack? I remember most of their programs, but I seem to be blanking out on that one. :(

I just saw another great movie with wonderful music I can't believe no skater has used yet: "The Pianist." I don't know enough about classical music to differentiate between the pieces composed specifically for the movie and the more traditional, classical ones, but it's all beautiful music just the same! :)

[Tigger]

The middle slow section of Isabelle and Lloyd's 91-92 season LP was from the Dances W/Wolves soundtrack.

[Artemis]

^ The other music for that LP, by the way, came from the Fish Called Wanda soundtrack. The music mix worked well, even if the movies were about as different as you can get!

[snoopysnake]

Anyone who skates or can influence elite skaters should get as many CD'S as possible by:

Django Reinhardt (especially ice dancers)

Helmut Lotti (especially men)

My ultimate "Dream numbers" would be:

Brian Boitano skating to "Haunted" by Greg Lake (Manouevers CD available on www.greglake.com)

Yuka Sato skating to "Incertitude" by Babik Reinhardt from live CD. (Babik was Django's son.)

Paul Wylie skating to "Wildest Dreams" by Asia

Lucinda Ruh or Scott Davis: "Dizzy Spells" from Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall CD

and many more! Some day I hope to have a web page listing all, for someone to see and use, I HOPE!

[Artemis]

I just saw Shrek 2 last night, and the music from that would work really well for a competitive number. (The orchestral incidental music, that is, not so much the songs.) I'd worry about the costume and makeup choices that might result, however. ;)

[Tigger]

Was just looking at a list of skating music that's been announced for some of the US skaters so far and Pirates of the Caribbean abounds for FS. What made my night though, was seeing this in the list for the skaters doing the JGP...

Brianna Perry: "Spider-man" (SP - same as last year); "Hidalgo" film soundtrack (FS)

YES!! Even though the chances of me seeing her skate it are next to nothing, it's still nice to know someone will be using it. Now if only I could have the same luck finding the soundtrack...It's next to impossible I tell you!!

[jcspkbfan]

Was just looking at a list of skating music that's been announced for some of the US skaters so far and Pirates of the Caribbean abounds for FS.

Eeek! While ITA "Pirates of the Caribbean" is great skating music, I hope it won't become sooo overused we'll eventually get as sick of hearing it as we were with "Robin Hood" and "Gladiator" a few years ago (both also great soundtracks for skating music, but also both extremely overused!)

And I also agree Sasha performs "My Fair Lady" for a televised exhibition/show at least once next season--I know it's gotten a lot of great reviews on the COI tour and it sounds like quite a departure from her usual programs! :)

[viennese]

I wish skaters would choose movie music that's not quite as familiar.

I recently heard a radio feature about the DVD re-release of the movie "Around the World in 80 Days" (NOT the remake with Jackie Chan, the old 1956 one that turns up on cable TV) Amazingly, it won an Oscar for Best Picture.

The best thing about it is the music by Victor North, who wrote short instrumental themes for every place the characters visit on their round their world adventure: A fast, energetic flamenco, an Indian love theme, a beautiful waltz.

There must be a dozen dialogue free music cuts on the sound track, or straight off the DVD that are ready made for skaters.