The winter Olympic Games are upon us. Tomoko's daughter Beata was an Olympics dance skater, and she continues in that profession. Beata had the advantage of knowing about music, starting with her mother, so she understood the importance of music -- and choosing the most effective pieces -- for choreographing a skating routine.
Classical music is a mainstay of ice skating, ranging from
lighthearted winter waltzes to intense dramatic scores used by Olympic
champions.
Iconic Classical Pieces for Skating
These works are specifically associated with the atmosphere
of ice skating or are frequently performed in competitive routines:
- The
Skaters' Waltz (Les Patineurs) by Émile Waldteufel: Composed in
1882, this is the most iconic piece of "skating music,"
featuring flowing melodies and the sound of bells to mimic a wintry rink.
- Boléro by
Maurice Ravel: Famous for its steady, building rhythm, most notably used
in the perfect 6.0-scoring routine by Torvill and Dean in 1984.
- Swan
Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: A competitive staple, used by
gold medalists like Oksana Baiul (1994) to evoke elegance and drama.
- The
Four Seasons: "Winter" by Antonio Vivaldi: Features
sharp, rapid string work that matches the precision of high-level
footwork.
- Carmen
(Habanera/Prelude) by Georges Bizet: Frequently used for its
intense energy; famous for the 1988 "Battle of the Carmens"
between Katerina Witt and Debi Thomas.
- Moonlight
Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven: A popular choice for romantic or
emotional programs, used by pairs such as Gordeeva and Grinkov.
Popular Orchestral Selections
Many skaters select movements from larger classical works
that provide a mix of slow, lyrical sections and powerful finales:
- Rachmaninoff: Piano
Concerto No. 2 and No. 3.
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade.
- Saint-Saëns: "The
Swan" from The Carnival of the Animals and Danse
Macabre.
- Stravinsky: The
Firebird and The Rite of Spring.
- Mahler: Adagietto
from Symphony No. 5.
Curated Playlists & Collections
You can find these and other classical skating tracks on the
following platforms:
- 55 Ice Skating Classics (Spotify): A comprehensive
collection including Strauss waltzes and Puccini arias.
- Figure Skating's Greatest Hits (Europadisc): A curated
CD featuring Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Vivaldi.
- Best Figure Skating Classics (Apple Music): Includes
competitive favorites like the "Sabre Dance" and
"Méditation" from Thaïs.