10(00) programs you ought to see before you die

[Lenny318]

I've always had a soft spot for this program:
Matt Savoie 2006 US Nationals LP

 

[lyverbird1]

I'd have to include Lu Chen's WC winning programme from 1995.

 

[moriel]

Some awesomeness:
Kavaguti/ Smirnov : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwoJAfhwMGo (SA) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4TP0pwpbhk (Euro)
Volosozhar/ Trankov: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmvrKEqpWT0
Ilinykh / Zhiganshin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XifCRmDiGrI
Savchenko / Szolkowy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoYOFofU-uM
Zhang / Zhang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2dUqG7xTLE

 

[Warwick360]

1. Tango de Roxanne - Yuna Kim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh-850kqJoE

9. Give me Love by E. Sheeran - Joshua Farris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FyUIfXKyHI

Ever since Yuna retired, it's been the one to go for me along with Send in The Clowns and Adios Nonino. Funny how it's trumped even Danse Macabre for me as a Yuna nostalgia fest.

Personally love how she changed the speed in her layback during this period.

As for Joshua. No words needed. Best short of the season for me. ^.^

 

[Florencito]

Hard to make a top 10! I didn't include those who came to my mind but had already been mentioned, such as Jeremy's Muse, S/Z's Turandot, or Yuna's Danse Macabre.

Daisuke Takahashi - Blues for Klook at 2012 Worlds

Javier Fernandez - Pirates fo the Caribbean at 2011 Worlds. When I saw the PCS I think it was the first time I said the V-word (the Italian F-word!) aloud

Jason Brown - Reel around the Sun at 2014 Nationals

Yuna Kim - James Bond Medley at 2010 Olympics

Elene Gedevanshvili - Schindler's List at 2012 Skate Canada

Savchenko/Szolkowy - Out of Africa at 2009 Skate Canada

Hurtado/Diaz - Surviving Picasso at 2014 Europeans

Dubreuil/Lauzon - Somewhere in time at 2006 Canadian Nationals

Virtue/Moir - The great gig in the sky at 2009 Worlds

Pechalat/Bourzat - The little prince and his rose at 2014 Worlds


Allow me to add just one special mention!

Javier Fernandez - Black Betty at 2014 Rostelecom Cup

 

[Eclair]

I've been counting 134 programs this far ... I only counted programs that where mentioned explicitely and not when someone just said, that he/she liked this or that skater.


135. U2 - Richard Dornbush
Relativly unknown skater that had the best skate of his life so far. His skating reminds me of Jeff Buttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTH7SwQOh0k

136. Somewhere over the rainbow - Kiira Korpi
Classical Beauty skating. Great for showing your non-figure-skating friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnU_j_ZA-tc

137. Finding Neverland - Sarah Meier
She conveyed a joy that is rarely seen. Plus that bright yellow Dress. Simply uplifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ_hHbOU4MQ

138. Amelie - Belbin/ Agosto
Interesting choreography and nice watch also for those who are not famliliar with the Little Details of Ice Dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd4mfxxsMx8

139. Moonlight Sonata - Gordeeva/ Grinkov
They had it all. They skated as if they were one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9L64Hbjiz4

140. He's a pirate - Mirai Nagasu
Wonderful choreography and execution of an intricate Programm. Mirai at her best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTv2y7ypYMk
the Olympic sp was better, but I couldn't find it on Youtube, so here's the worlds version

I have included some programs that technically may not be the very best, but I remember immensly enjoying all those programs because they had good music/ choreography and were skated lights out.
It's definitly worth seeing

 

[alia jackson]

Parisienne Walkways - Yuzuru Hanyu

Olympic version, a record breaking performance. First SP to break 100 marks and Olympic record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk6qrBrqAqo

WTT gala version. It is a challenge to skate in gala lighting, and the fact that he skated this perfectly made this performance extra special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZFROWbQyIY

This program and performance is a combination of great artistry with difficult elements. Try to watch both of the above performances side by side.

 

[iluvtodd]

A lot of my favorites have been included already (Paul Wylie's Henry V - 1992 Olympics, Matt Savoie's 2006 fs, Michelle's East of Eden, Lyra Angelica, Salome, Shen & Zhao's 2003 Worlds' Turandot, Jason Brown's Riverdance), so here are some more.

141. Midori Ito's 1988 Olympic fs
142. Todd's 1996 Worlds' free skate - "First Knight"
143. Todd's 2001 Worlds' free skate - "1492"
144. Meryl & Charlie's "Samson & Delilah" - 2009 Worlds
145. Javi's 2015 Worlds free skate
146. Brian Orser's "The Story of My Life" (as long as exhibitions/show programs are included)
146. Viktor Petrenko's Mambo #5
147. Bourne & Kraatz' "Riverdance" from the 1998 Olympics
148. Midori's 1992 Olympic Exhibition - "Rain" Medley"
149. Kurt's Brickhouse

 

[Alextim]

1 Anissina Peizerat flamenco OD Olympics 2002
2 Bonaly SP 1994 OLympics
3 Papadakis Cizeron FD worlds 2015
4 Virtue Moir Carmen FD worlds 2013
5 Gritchuk Platov FD OLympics 1998
6 Anissina Peizerat Carmina Burana worlds 2000
7 Lu Chen FP worlds 1995
8 Delobel Schoenfelder FD worlds 2008
9 Yagudin SP 2002 OLympics
10 Duchesnay FD worlds 1990

 

[Silvia451]

1. Virtue/Moir - Carmen
2. Davis/White - Samson and Delilah
3. Daisuke Takahashi - Sonatina for Violin
4. Yuzuru Hanyu - R&J n.1
5. Denis Ten - The artist
6. Patrick Chan - Phantom of the opera
7. V/T Waltz masquerade
8. Sasha Cohen - Swan lake
9. Yuna Kim - Les miserables
10. Mao Asada - Rachmaninoff n.2


Other great ones:
Daisuke Takahashi - La strada
Tatsuki Machida - Ode to joy, East of Eden
Davis/White - Giselle, Phantom of the opera, Sochi SP
Virtue/Moir - Spanish flamenco, The great gig in the sky, Mahler n.5
Yuzuru Hanyu - Parisienne walkways
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva - Bolero
Mao Asada - Swan lake, Waltz masquerade

 

[moriel]

Maybe we should add quick comments on why this or that performance/program? Like they do in real 1000 books

 

[plushyfan]

Plushenko: Tribute to Nijinsky at Rus Nat 2004

Plushenko: Dark Eyes

Oxana Baiul: Swan Lake

Krilova- Ovsyannikov: Carmen

Grischuk- Platov: Libertango

Lu Chen: Rachmaninov

Takahashi: La strada

Kwan: East of Eden

Sasha Cohen: Swan Lake

Mao Asada: Rach

Yuna Kim: Gershwin Piano concerto

Yuzuru Hanyu: R&J 2012

 

[gotoschool]

1. Mao Asada Rach II 1st Movement Sochi- The most complete performance I have ever seen because of the complex mix of emotions with melancholy building slowly in sync with the music to an explosion of redemption and fiery passion in the step sequence. Also, I also loved the dazzling athleticism (with 8 triple jumps and the triple axel), the balletic grace and artistic flair. The long gauntlet of triple jumps felt like Mao was overcoming the hardships of life in 4 minutes time. Sublime and transcendent but also genuine.
https://vimeo.com/87275728 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C62RN3YikFQ

2. Mao Asada Nocturne Worlds 2014 A light airy dance as a swan doing pirouettes and gliding along an icy pond. Spectacular triple axel. Quick, agile step sequence and wonderful long drawn out extensions into the closing layback and Biellmann with a wave goodbye.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2xjUQWPsPY

3. Lu Chen 1996 Worlds LP Rach II 2nd Movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCRaoNfU0r8 Her expressions of sadness and the grace and nobility in her movements matched the grandeur of the music's sorrowful tone. Every movement in sync with the notes as one great flow of rythmic motion. Beautiful delayed rotation and power in her jumps. .

4. Kristi Yamaguchi (Malaguena) Nationals 1992 The program where she finally conquered the triple salchow. Nice triple lutz / single loop / triple toe combo. Marvelous musical sensibility. She also has aesthetically pleasing lines, extensions and spirals that she holds for just the right length of time. Wonderful Russian split jump as a transition into a triple toe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJNs1esR0_Y

5. Midori Ito 1990 Worlds LP- My favorite routine by Midori because I think it is the best at balancing artistry, flexibility and athletic power. The lutz and the triple axel in the same routine were magnificent. The skating skills spectacular and full of emotion. rohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvgWI8QDrzQ

6. Evgeni Plushenko Tribute to Vasaly Nijinsky Fabuoulous flexibility for a man mixed with a masculine style, acrobatic, beauty and power in the jumps, intricate and quick footwork and tons of charisma. Also, my favorite musical choice of Plushenko's. It helps to give the program an authentic Russian feel.

7. Mao Asada Bells of Moscow Worlds 2010 LP The most photogenic routine I ever seen because Mao makes so many many memorable and beautiful positions and dramatic expressions: her extended leg seems to almost touch the ice in the sit spin and she leans so far back and holds her leg up so high with no aid in the fan spiral. Then, there is the cross grab Biellmann and the arabesque with the peek a boo pose, the rhythmic slide step in the step sequence, not to mention the two triple axels. And best of all the one handed Biellmann with her black gloved hand held against her chest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvEfCaDMz9k

8. Shizuka Arakawa 2004 Worlds LP Turnadot A great 7 triple program with nice triple lutz jumps, beautiful expression and my favorite Ina Bauer. Dick Button says, "She caresses the ice with each jump."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpbGjbgxuUA

9. Denise Biellmann 1980 Olympics LP- way ahead of its time. Great dance moves with magnetic energy, fantastic spins and jumps, wonderful charisma and of course the closing Biellmann.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1_QiK85KRg

10. Lu Chen Butterfly Lovers 1998 Olympics- one of the most artistic and soulful programs I ever seen. So many graceful arm movements and elegant dance steps with such compelling emotion. Painfully beautiful and a story of redemption and overcoming hardship like Mao's Sochi LP. Her bittersweet Swan Song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYzxIjEewuk

 

[lyverbird1]

Maybe we should add quick comments on why this or that performance/program? Like they do in real 1000 books

Good idea! I had nominated Lu Chen's 1995 Last Emperor LP that won her the WC because I loved the elements of Chinese style dance in the programme. It's one of those programmes where you could watch it with the sound off and imagine every note she must be dancing to, even if you had never seen it before. Perfectly interpreted and a different style compared to arguably any other skater of that era.

 

[Eclair]

Maybe we should add quick comments on why this or that performance/program? Like they do in real 1000 books

great idea! I've added 1 or 2 sentences to my lists

 

[jenaj]

Maybe we should add quick comments on why this or that performance/program? Like they do in real 1000 books

Agree:

Michelle Kwan--Lyra Angelica, 1998 US Nationals. An ethereal performance. One that people will never stop talking about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdAv4NglqvE

Michelle Kwan--Rachmaninoff medley, 1998 US Nationals. Another perfect, unforgettable program. As Peggy Fleming said, you forget you are only watching a short program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHfgjszz_Tk

Michelle Kwan--East of Eden,1998 World Pro. "It's not about the jumps; it's about the passion to skate!" Sandra Bezic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYwAZb14Ags

Daisuke Takahashi-Blues for Klook, 2012 Worlds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF8Cz6SAE28 Show this to someone who has pre-conceived notions about male figure skating.

Kurt Browning--Singin' in the Rain, the original. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJWW12GEIk What a performer!

Kurt Browning- Brick House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RtL68KBBhY Master of the blade (wanted to post Nyah but it has been audio-blocked on Youtube).

Janet Lynn-1971 Worlds, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISV1Rgd1ofA 1973 Worlds, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odytP_-zC5E The best free-skater ever.

Daisuke Takahashi-Pagliacci, 2013 Japan Nationals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ip2d_h2yLo Two quads and that emotion!

Mao Asada-Rach 2, 2014 Olympics. It's not always about the medals.

Akiko Suzuki, Phantom of the Opera, 2013 Japan Nationals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTz2djlZTdc After this, POTO should have been retired.

Shen and Zhao,Turandot, 2003 Worlds. I stood in my living room towards the end of this skate and applauded--along with the live audience. Courageous and awe-inspiring.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYuRHZMNCeE

 

[Cdimop]

I'm not going to list 10 right now, but here is my forever number one since no one has mentioned it yet:

Shen and Zhao's 2003 Turandot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cz6r2XE8N0

Yes, one of my all time favorites as we'll. I really liked that they performed it for two seasons and it really improved over time.

 

[Cdimop]

I'm a big fan of "missing" as well. Mark Mitchell's skate to "on the waterfront" is also a forgotten gem.

 

[Cdimop]

His "miss Saigon" was also very memorable (Paul Wylie)

 

[Cdimop]

Yes, her skates in both 95 and 96 at worlds were outstanding (Lu Chen)