Pick the music for your favorites

[dna5019]

On the subject of Two Steps From Hell/listening to, and thinking of what else may suit other skaters, and I'm thinking:

Rika Hongo:

Archangel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqlqXg9HXI0

I think, seeing her Carmen, that she would do well with music that has power and strong character.

And maybe....

James/Cipres:

Salvation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qxecwSCAf0

Driving music with power - of course, that is what they seem to prefer for their LP, while their SPs are more light and playful; but maybe combined with some other piece?

Maybe?

Volosozhar/Trankov

Casablanca (no vocals - I much prefer this version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBtrCOnO8qw

Again they are power skaters, and might do something with this.

And some suggestions I had for

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva:

Starfall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFEAzP1Zm-A

Maybe it has some/too much similarity to her current FP? But I think it is slightly different in mood, and it builds nicely. But something rather different:

Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTb4TnSJEH0

A softer, more emotional piece.

Moving in that direction... Maybe...

Anna Pogorilaya:

Northern Pastures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr6CE0wjAlk

Maybe if she tried something softer like this? (I was thinking Elena Radionova as well - I think this could have suited her very well; but she's already done Nero, so... )

And...

Gracie Gold:

Blizzard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbryc35gJBU

I think she should go with music that has a little more... drive in it. But there is no reason one can not skate with power, yet grace, at the same time.

I'll leave it at that for the moment, or else this post will just be too long!

I bow to all of your suggestions. I'm a big fan of Thomas Bergersen/Two Steps from Hell. I'd like to see more routines done to their work.

 

[bramweld]

The Chocolat soundtrack; I/Z https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCS4lxoxBPI&list=PL1B5048422D3E71BB

 

[Weathergal]

I'd love it if someone would skate to David Garrett's version of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70EvLqYvJks

He also does a really awesome version of "Carmen," but someone would have to do an extra-special job with it since Carmen's such a warhorse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtDJuQ9oawU

Now...who to have them skate to these? Daisuke Takahashi in an exhibition program, but current amateur competitors?

I could see Liza Tuktamysheva doing Garrett's "Carmen."

For "Smooth Criminal" perhaps Ashley Wagner or Jason Brown.

 

[Amei]

I'd love it if someone would skate to David Garrett's version of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70EvLqYvJks

He also does a really awesome version of "Carmen," but someone would have to do an extra-special job with it since Carmen's such a warhorse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtDJuQ9oawU

Now...who to have them skate to these? Daisuke Takahashi in an exhibition program, but current amateur competitors?

I could see Liza Tuktamysheva doing Garrett's "Carmen."

For "Smooth Criminal" perhaps Ashley Wagner or Jason Brown.

Can we please and I mean pretty pretty please not encourage a warhorse?

 

[Weathergal]

I think I already said it would have to be an extra-special version by the skater (and choreographer, of course!) for me to like it. And I do like Garrett's version because it is different from the usual cuts of "Carmen" we hear--otherwise I'm not that interested. But to each his/her own.

Both songs would require someone with good footwork skills. Of course I think that about most songs because I always love a good footwork sequence!

 

[unico]

I would love to see a sweet, lyrical skater like Zijun Li or SoYoun Park skate to the Paperman soundtrack for a long program. It's a bit less classical and can really showcase a joy and brightness to their skating. Radionova's a bit sloppy, but I think she could also really sell this music with her sheer exuberance and love for performing.

Satoko Miyahara could maybe skate to Vanilla Mood's Haku. The music is quite somber and could mask some of her facial stoicism while she continues to work on matching outward projection with lovely nuanced expression.

Ever since I read that Hanyu's team was thinking of giving him Carmina Burana/O Fortuna but decided against it, that pretty much tops the list. Or something along those lines like Destati, Liberi Fatali. Or something a bit whimsical and fantastical like Dragon Boy from the Spirited Away OST.

And although he could also pull off an exciting Filet, I think Elizaveta Tuktamysheva could really work this music and sell it to the max with some crazy big jumps and drama.

I'd also like to see Fernandez try his hand at Roundabout by Yes. It might come off a bit exhibition-y, but I think some classic rock melodies might be a good route for him.

I loved Kozuka's 2009-2010 guitar programs, so I would love to see a return to that kind of style. I think he's the only one with the lightness of touch and dexterity of blade to pull off the crazy time signature changes and melodic complexity of some Math Rock Coach Kukoc's Croatian Couscous or Sarah Palin's Parasailing. It could either be an absolute mess or something really unique and fresh (most likely the former to be honest LOL).

 

[MaxSwagg]

For V/T, some arrangement of Finale from "Salome". Especially since Max loves to be dramatic... Probably without vocals because the [early] modernist opera genre can be kind of jarring. They need something more substantive. Khachaturian SP was good last season but it wasn't anything we haven't seen before from anyone, really, and although I liked JCS, the choreography was pretty much the same as their FS from 2012-2013.

In general, more operatic genres in dance (even though I'm not that into dance). Or maybe some polychoral or isorhythmic motets or madrigals (14th or 16th Century)... Just something different!

 

[Culturevulture73]

Heard Linda Ronstadt's "That'll Be a The Day" - perfect for Ashley or if Gracie wanted to change up her image.

 

[TontoK]

Ooh... Linda Ronstadt! I've never considered that...

Also, I love "Silver Threads and Golden Needles"

Her version of "Desperado" is simple, folksy, and haunting.

 

[salchowx4]

Stolbova and Klimov - Protest from Satyagraha, Glass

Hubbell and Donohue – Turangalila Symphony (5th movement), Messiaen

Shibs – Snapshot Circa 1909, Corigliano

Ashley Wagner – Quarter Chicken Dark, The Goat Rodeo Sessions

Max Aaron – Times Square 1944, Bernstein

Joshua Farris – Sextet for Piano and Wind, Poulenc

Yuzuru Hanyu – The Gadfly Suite, Shostakovich

Gracie Gold – Les Noces, Stravinsky

Jason Brown – Short Ride in a Fast Machine, John Adams

Polina Edmunds - Etruscan Concerto, Glanville-Hicks

Jeremy Abbott - Threnody for Carlos Chavez, Lou Harrison

 

[sbaker]

Love so many of these suggestions! I am excited about the Ravensburger Waltz SD next season... Do you guys think couples are expected to skate to traditional waltz music? Is there a specific set of songs for this waltz? I know it has a pretty fast tempo... I am wondering because I think it would be sooo awesome and refreshing to see someone skate to a modern waltz like this one Maybe a couple who lacks a squeaky clean style? Thoughts?

 

[LRK]

A discussion in another thread set me thinking (I know - o.o ) about what music would suit

Max Aaron

I think he should use music that has more drive in it. I think the Gladiator idea was "almost but not quite right" - it's music for a power skater, and Max's qualities I'd describe more as "speed, energy and drive" - hence my suggestion of Rush - which I think would suit his qualities to perfection and bring out the best in him.

Another suggestion could be

Jump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF1B1dlHEow

(Yes - What? So, I happen to believe that there is the perfect Two Steps music for each and every skater - don't tempt me into trying to prove this - I'm sorely tempted as it is.)

And I was thinking that in lieu of Footloose, I'd probably have gone with something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MerCZJHIejs

But then... someone mentioned the '80s which set me thinking along those lines and... I think I cracked it!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1-yaZYw-w4

This takes care of any costume issues as well - just stick him into a stylish James Bond-ish suit. Seriously - I think this could be just... fierce.

 

[Culturevulture73]

Max skating Duran Duran would be fun. If Jump, why not the Van Halen one? Let's Twist Again would send him backwards a lot (used to show kids how to go backward by doing the Twist). But some dance team should do Land of 1,000 Dances...

Max's mistake in Gladiator was that dialogue opening he thankfully cut. If you're going to use dialogue from that, c'mon, gotta be the are you not entertained line.

Did I dream that Belbin & Agosto skated the Green Acres theme? If not, fun show bit for Davis & White.

 

[karne]

Jump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF1B1dlHEow

(Yes - What? So, I happen to believe that there is the perfect Two Steps music for each and every skater - don't tempt me into trying to prove this - I'm sorely tempted as it is.)

Oh, I like this one. But as a short, maybe. It gets a bit slow in the middle, and it's a little repetitive in theme.

But then... someone mentioned the '80s which set me thinking along those lines and... I think I cracked it!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1-yaZYw-w4

This takes care of any costume issues as well - just stick him into a stylish James Bond-ish suit. Seriously - I think this could be just... fierce.

Ooooh, James Bond Max I like the idea of very much.

Max's mistake in Gladiator was that dialogue opening he thankfully cut. If you're going to use dialogue from that, c'mon, gotta be the are you not entertained line.

They could have inserted it right before the ChSq. Max turns to the crowd with his arms spread: "Are you not entertained?" and then goes charging off into the ChSq.



On the Footloose theme for Max, this is my second-favourite song on the soundtrack: Hurts So Good. Maybe not fast enough for Max, but perhaps could be a little fun for Josh.

 

[Noolan]

Elena Radionova
I just want her to go full pop in SP. She needs something she can really dance to Maybe something like Robyn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J294A-R1Cjk

Satoko Miyahara
Her lyrical gala this season was awesome. More like this please. Aoi Teshima would be great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vavZtCtp58E

Ashley Wagner
More Lana Del Rey because it feels like that's kind of who she's trying to be on ice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjqZpZZ5jI

Liza Tuktamisheva
Something different please, I just want Liza to expand her range. Why not go with this, sounds like it would suit her in a weird way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t98n64TZ11M

Sergei Voronov
He should just go for a manly man's song. ACDC or something
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Maxim Kovtun
Please would somebody just take his personality from exhibitions and move it into competitions as well. Why not just remake an exhibition as a competitive program.

Javier Fernandez
Black Betty worked! It would be nice if he took that energy and moved in a slightly lyrical direction, maybe with Hendrix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03yPUlBE5OU

 

[LRK]

Something different for Liza? Well, there's this totally random thought I had before, but...

So, for

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva

what say you all to:

Greensleeves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ItNxpwChE

'Tis different enough in all conscience, methinks. Also, she could wear a pretty green Tudor-inspired gown.

"Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves."

 

[karne]

Well, we've had the suggestion of racing driver Max, how about fighter pilot Max or fighter pilot Josh?

Top Gun Opening Sequence

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Lindsey Sterling was mentioned before, and I personally think Crystallize would be perfect for Adelina Sotnikova. She has a thing for balletic music with some modern twists, and I think she has the power and flexibility (and leg line ) to pull this off. The music would also work well with some beautiful spirals!

Also, since lyrics are allowed now...

For Yuzuru Hanyu... I'd go with Slipknots Snuff mixed with Vermillion pt 3. It has the right kind of drama for him, and he's one of the few skaters who could pull off music like that without being overowerd by it, IMO. This part would work beautifully as a step sequence, and the climax of "Snuff" just screams Ina Bauer to me! (Yes, I actually just thought one day while listining to that song "oh, that would be amazing for Yuzus Ina bauer!").

With Joshua Farris, I like his current style a lot for him, but I also liked "The Walker" from SOI and how well he could pull off the confident entertainer. And since I also think it would be interesting to see him do his Tango number from last season again, now that he has so much more confidence, I somehow ended up with Fever from Elvis Presley. Presleys deep, velety voice would suit Josh's skating perfectly, IMO. It would probably need another song thrwon in because "Fever" is maybe too monotonous on his own, but I'd still love it.

Last one: I'd love Jason Brown to do something a little calmer, maybe more mystical again. I think he could pull off some songs from Loreena McKennitt very well, like Night ride across the caucasus or The gates of Istanbul. He has the attention to detail songs like these need. TBH though, this is for a good part choosing music I love for a skater I love

 

[cruzceleste]

I want Yuzuru to do Devil´s Trill

 

[cheerknithanson]

Someone needs to skate to "Shipping up to Boston" for a SP. It's rock, fast, and has a catchy Irish-sounding tune.