The music used by a female figure skater for her free program
We’re introducing the music used by women’s figure skaters in their free skating programs! Free skating is a segment where skaters perform by freely combining elements within a set time and number of required elements.
Free programs like Shizuka Arakawa’s to “Nessun dorma” and Mao Asada’s to “Piano Concerto No.
2” moved audiences not only in Japan but all around the world.
In this article, we’ve gathered the pieces that support the performances in which each skater dances to their fullest potential.
As you listen, relive those unforgettable, moving moments!
Songs used by female figure skaters for their free skate (1–10)
AdiemusNEW!Karl Jenkins
Speaking of the music Rion Sumiyoshi used for her ladies’ singles free program in figure skating, many were likely captivated by its mysterious atmosphere.
Choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne to portray “the growth of plants,” this piece layers vocals that resemble a fictional language over earthy percussion, leading listeners toward a sense of exhilaration.
Composed by Welsh musician Karl Jenkins, the project gained attention when it was featured in a Delta Air Lines commercial in 1994.
Included on the 1995 album “Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary,” it has since been widely cherished as a genre-defying classic.
Its sound seems to speak to the heart beyond the meaning of words.
Give it a listen when you want to feel the expanse of nature or set your spirit free.
La Terre vue du cielNEW!Armand Amar
A masterpiece by Armand Amar, captivating for its grand sense of scale as if gazing down at Earth from the sky.
The timbre of ethnic instruments resonating in the stillness and a melody that gradually gathers heat stir the heart deeply.
Included on the 2004 album “La Terre vue du ciel,” this piece was created for the documentary film of the same name addressing environmental issues.
In figure skating, it’s cherished as music that draws out expressive power; many women skaters have taken to the ice with this piece, including Haruna Yoshida, who uses it for her free program in the 2024–2025 season.
Its dramatic development, which makes you feel the vastness of the world, is perfect for nights when you want to reflect on yourself or relax while imagining majestic scenery.
A Thousand Times Good NightNEW!Abel Korzeniowski
A beloved masterpiece that colors Shakespearean tragedy and is also cherished in figure skating programs.
It’s included on the album “Romeo & Juliet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” by Abel Korzeniowski.
Composed for the 2013 film Romeo & Juliet, this work is characterized by its rich string melodies and poignant piano tones.
It has also drawn attention in the 2025–2026 season, as Japan’s Mone Chiba registered it for her free skating program.
Its progression from silence to passion will further elevate performances on the ice.
It’s also a wonderful piece to listen to when you want to bask in a romantic mood while gazing up at the night sky!
I’m Kissing YouNEW!Des’ree
A treasured ballad long favored by female figure skaters for their free programs, chosen by athletes who compete in expressive artistry.
Sung by British singer-songwriter Des’ree, this piece features a beautiful, hushed interplay of piano and strings.
It was written specifically for the film Romeo + Juliet and moved audiences worldwide in the scene that heralds the beginning of a fateful love.
Though released as a single in February 1997, it remains beloved today—Mone Chiba, for example, has selected it for her 2025–26 season program.
Included on the acclaimed album Supernatural, its restrained vocals resonate deeply when paired with movement on the ice.
Why not give it a listen on nights when you want to immerse yourself in a bittersweet story or quietly soothe your heart?
ThemysciraNEW!Hans Zimmer
Here’s the piece drawing attention as the music Wakaba Higuchi plans to use for her free skate in the 2025/2026 figure skating season: “Themyscira,” composed by the maestro Hans Zimmer.
Included on the album Wonder Woman 1984 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), released in December 2020, this track appears in the film Wonder Woman 1984.
It blends a mythic atmosphere with warrior-like strength, promising to heighten the drama of her performance on the ice.
Its structure—building heat from a quiet introduction—mirrors the mindset of an athlete heading into a decisive challenge.
It might also be a great listen when you’re looking for a boost of courage.
The Blue PlanetNEW!NDR Radiophilharmonie, Ben Palmer, Pop-Up, Hans Zimmer
The music that supports figure skating performances often features grand soundscapes, such as film scores and classical pieces.
This track, created for the BBC’s marine documentary Blue Planet II, is characterized by Hans Zimmer’s majestic melodies.
It was included on the album Epic Orchestra – New Sound of Classical, released in February 2020, and its mysterious, deep-sea-like resonance is created by the performance of the NDR Radiophilharmonie layered with the choir Pop-Up.
Wakaba Higuchi incorporated it into her free program for the 2025–2026 season.
The combination of her powerful skating and the oceanic, enveloping tones of this work leads viewers to an overwhelming sense of awe.
It’s a perfect match for moments when you want to calm your mind or feel the breadth of the world.
ShakuhachiNEW!Armand Amar
Hana Yoshida achieved a remarkable third place at the 2023 Grand Prix Final.
Here is the music she used for her free skate: it is included on the soundtrack to the 2015 documentary film HUMAN, composed by the French composer Armand Amar.
The serene resonance of the shakuhachi’s breath layered with the orchestra is beautiful, drawing the audience into a mystical world.
Choreographer Lori Nichol selected the music, and the program was created with the image of a “crane.” The tension and spaciousness of the piece perfectly match Yoshida’s elegant glide across the ice.
It’s a track that highlights her performance by blending Eastern sonorities with modern sound design.