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The music used by a female figure skater for her free program

The music used by a female figure skater for her free program
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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)

AdiemusKarl Jenkins

Karl Jenkins – Adiemus (Official Video)
AdiemusKarl 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 cielArmand Amar

Armand Amar – La Terre vue du Ciel
La Terre vue du cielArmand 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.

ThemysciraHans Zimmer

Wonder Woman 1984 Official Soundtrack | Themyscira – Hans Zimmer | WaterTower
ThemysciraHans 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.

I’m Kissing YouDes’ree

I’m Kissing You (Full Length Version)
I'm Kissing YouDes'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?

The Blue PlanetNDR Radiophilharmonie, Ben Palmer, Pop-Up, Hans Zimmer

NDR Radiophilharmonie, Ben Palmer, Pop-Up, Hans Zimmer – The Blue Planet
The Blue PlanetNDR 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.

Wonder Woman Main ThemeTina Guo

Wonder Woman Main Theme (Official Music Video) – Tina Guo
Wonder Woman Main ThemeTina Guo

A single by Tina Guo whose fierce electric cello tone symbolizes the strength of a fighting woman.

Released in May 2017, it’s a reimagining of the famous theme from the film Wonder Woman.

In addition to the gravitas of the original by Hans Zimmer and others, the aggressive riffs make a powerful impression.

In the 2025–2026 season, Wakaba Higuchi is using a medley that includes this piece for her free skate.

True to the powerful image she describes, her warrior-like performance on the ice merges with heart-pounding drums to inspire courage in the audience.

If you listen when you need to fire yourself up or before a must-win showdown, it might awaken your inner wildness.

A Thousand Times Good NightAbel 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!