Expert: David Froom - 4/17/2007

Question
Hello,

I've been looking for sites that have experts who can help to identify music that I can use for my students. I am a figure skating instructor to skater of all ages and levels, but the most difficult part is finding music. Due to the rules of our sport we are not allowed to use music with words, so we most often use classical pieces. I have an extensive collection of the more common composers and pieces, but need help in finding more unique and age appropriate music. Is this something you can help with? For example I have a 9 yr old who skated to Shostakovich. I believe it was a polka from one of the ballets. I would like for her to skate to something similar that has spunk. Any ideas? Do you know of a good album that has Faust without words on it? A coach at our rink has been using it for years and it sounds great in an arena. However, he has been teaching for 20+ yrs and many of the albums/l[s he has are out impossible to find. Like most of the coaches in skating he does not share what pieces and/or albums he has used. If you are not able to help with these types of things is there someone or some place that you recommend?
Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks, Kellie  

Answer
Dear Kellie,

The problem for me is that there are hundreds of fabulous composers, and each of them has written something like a hundred works.  I don't know what you in particular are looking for.  Even though it seems obvious to you, it isn't obvious to anyone else (except maybe other skaters)?  I'm not even sure what you mean by "spunk."  I'm not trying to be dense.  It is just that we're coming from vastly different frames of reference.

You can, though, go to your local library.  They have a LOT of classical recordings on CD for you to check out for free.  You could start by looking for music by the composers you already like (like Shostakovich).  You can look for their symphonies and concertos if you want something without words that is orchestra.

For something similar to Shostakovich that is a little lighter but still has some bite, you might try some Prokofiev: symphonies, concertos or ballets.

I'm not sure what you mean by Faust.  There is an opera Faust by Gounod.  There is a symphonic poem called Faust by Liszt.  If you want music from the opera, you might look for something called Orchestra Suite from Gounod's Faust, or something like that.

I think with an armload of CDs from the library, you'll have a good start.  

Good luck with this,

David Froom