Guandao
Rajah of Minyue, Hlai and Langkasuka
I was wondering what people thought of the themes, particularly those for the Civs, city-states, scenarios and wonders.
America: America the Beautiful composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Patriotic song, lyrics written by Katharine Lee Bates and music by Samuel A. Ward. 1895. Peace theme does a great job of evoking freedom and such. War theme shows this song could actually work in this way.
Washington's Artillery March would prolly work if Georgie was on horseback on some battlefield.
Arabia: Thikriati; Hijaz Maqam composed by Geoff Knorr
There are two sources for this melody. They are Thikriati, a traditional Arabic melody and one of the traditional ancient calls to prayer melodies of the Hijaz Maqam. Hijaz Maqam refers to specific way a particular melodic mode should be played and improvised in Arabic traditional music. Knorr first heard Thikriati on an album called Musicians from Al Kamandjati Live
What’s funny is that part of the war theme reminded me of Aladdin. Could be intentional. I find the peace theme to be quite mellow at the beginning, then later epic. Both themes are good overall.
Saladin's theme is faster, but was prolly an original composition.
Aztec: Cora Mitote Song from Santa Teresa composed by Michael Curran
The Cora are an indigenous people in Mexico who speak a language related to Nahuatl. Mitote means song. Very peaceful sounding, but the war theme is pure terror like those Jaguar warriors are roaming the jungle for their prey!.
Tenochtitlan Revealed is original and not really like Mesoamerican music.
Austria: coming soon
Babylon: A Zaluzi to the Gods (Hurrian Hymn 6, or Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal copied by Ammurabi) composed by Roland Rizzo
Some of the oldest recorded music on tablets found in Ugarit. I read opinions which dislike their music. But, its based on a real melody. The war theme is catching to me.
Hammurabi's theme is more peaceful but not suited for Nebby. Hammy is waving his arms around and showing you his gardens. Nebby drops his cup and is in complete darkness save for the fires.
Byzantine coming soon
Carthage coming soon
Celts coming soon
China: Gao Shan Liu Shui composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Means high mountains, flowing water. Quqin pieces associated with Bo Ya in the Warring States Period. Being of Chinese descent, it makes me feel proud of my homeland, despite disliking its current rulers.
Shining Path is amateur compared with this. So is Qin Shi Huang's theme.
Denmark: Drømte mig en drøm i nat composed by Michael Curran
Drømte mig en drøm i nat (“I dreamt me a dream”
is the oldest known Danish folk song and the piece is also inspired by Nobilis Humilis, written by Orkney monks, Curran found both melodies on a site called Viking Answer Lady. Some people also dislike this song, but I think it fits Viking era Denmark. Not sure where the lyrics in the war theme are from.
Ragnar's theme starts out weird, what with all the grunting. Did Norse actually do that in their music? Only late one is good.
Dutch/Netherlands coming soon
Egypt: Ancient Egyptian Melody Fragments composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Sounds like Ancient Egypt. Not sure if based on real music from that time period. Curran got his melody from here "Music of the Ancient Sumerians, Egyptians & Greeks" by "The Ensemble De Organographia", particularly the track Harp Piece (A) and the 1st track Anon-Musical Excerpts . War theme is pretty epic, as it reminds me of a chariot charge with archers shooting arrows.
Harvest of the Nile is meh for me. Worked in earlier games.
England: I Vow to Thee, My Country composed by Geoff Knorr
Uses a British patriotic hymn with a melody by Gustav Holst. Poem was by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. A very pleasant peace theme for this country. The war theme is epic with the marching music.
Fonfare Rondeau may fit Lizzie's times better, but I prefer Holst's music. It's very patriotic.
Ethiopia coming soon
France: Cancan composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Music hall dance, possibly from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Peace theme is nice sounding and war theme is intimidating. Lyrics are in a post below.
La Marseillaise rendition is horrible, particularly the first one
Germany: Ode to Joy composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Famous song by Beethoven (in his 9thSymphony) with the lyrics by Friedrich Schiller. Pleasant sounding peace theme, but the war theme is quite scary with the organ and such.
Bismarck's old theme (also by Beethoven) is too slow and low for my tastes. Frederick's fares better.
Greece: Epitaph of Seikilos composed by Geoff Knorr
One of the oldest surviving music compositions today. Found on a tombstone in Modern Turkey. I like the peace theme a lot. War theme is quite good as well. Wish they included the singing though.
Alex's old theme is faux ancient Greek, was actually the Greco-Roman diplomacy theme in 3.
Hun coming soon
Inca: Traditional Inca Melody Fragments composed by Geoff Knorr
Certainly sounds like traditional Andean music. Not sure if it’s based on specific melodies. Knorr took the music from this CD http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/incamusic/, particularly the track Wayno. A favorite of mines, the melody evoke the Andes. War theme is very tribal.
Huayna Capac's theme is also meh for me, maybe works for that guy in game.
India: Raga Asa composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Indian musical raga (composition) appears in Sikh tradition from northern India, part of Sikh holy scripture. Peace theme sounds very westernized, but the war theme contains singing. Does anybody know where the lyrics are from or if they are in Hindi?
Gandhi's old theme sounds more authentic, but I have no idea where they got it from.
Iroquois: Ho, Ho, Watanay composed by Ian Smith
Iroquois lullaby, means “Sleep, sleep, little ones”. Peace theme is very soothing, while the war one is tribal and quite intimidating and haunting.
Japan: Rokudan no Shirabe composed by Geoff Knorr
Means Music of Six Steps. By Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1600’s). Peace theme fits it well with Oda’s background. War theme is very scary, as it reminds me of the Japanese atrocities in WW2. My family are from Malaysia and Singapore, both conquered by this nation. Several relatives were killed.
I like Tokugawa's Sakura Sakura, but only the late version.
Korea: Arirang, composed by Michael Curran
Korea folk song sometimes considered unofficial national anthem of Korea. Peace theme is very pleasant sounding. War theme is suspenseful and suitable for the scene.
Korea's civ4 theme is inferior
Maya coming soon
Mongolia: Traditional Mongolian Long Song (Urtiin Duu) composed by Geoff Knorr
This is a traditional form of Mongol singing. Not sure if it’s based on a specific Long Song. One of my favorite peace songs. It sounds like Chinese music b/c the Erhu and Mongolian string instrument share a common origin. The one used here is actually a cello. Knorr took this song from Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet. The Long song is performed by Khongorzul Ganbaatar. War theme makes me think of the Mongol hordes destroying everything.
Mongol Internationale is ok, but I love the cello in this new theme.
Ottoman: Ceddin Deden composed by Geoff Knorr
Janissary marching band music, has hints of Beethoven and Mozart in the War Theme. Nice choice for the Ottoman theme. Especially like the war theme with its booming march music.
I like Mehmed's theme, not sure if based off real Turkish music
Persia: Morghe Sahar composed by Geoff Knorr
Song in Persian classical music tradition, music by Morteza Neydavood, poetry by Malakosho’araa-ye Bahaar, composed during later years of Qajar Dynasty. Very emotional song, reminds me of a Persia now long gone. War theme sounds very sad compared to others.
Hammurabi's code is not Persian, it's generic Middle Eastern.
Polynesia: Hole Waimea composed by Geoff Knorr
Spearmakers of Waimea, chant originally made for Kamehameha, war there also has “I ku mau” chant from I ku mau mau. Peace theme is very nice sounding. War theme sounds very cool.
Rome: Ancient Roman Melody Fragments composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Not sure if this sounds like real Roman music, but it does evoke Rome. Curran got his fragments from here http://classics.uc.edu/music/michigan/index.html War theme reminds of all the legions marching out to vanquish their foes.
Rise of Augustus is meh for me.
Russia: Montagues and Capulets composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Composed by Prokofiev, a famous Russian composer. Love his Battle on the Ice. Very forbidding theme. Reminds me of the coldness of Russia. Lyrics are found in a post below.
Catherine's old theme is catchy but what is it based on?
Siam: taken from a Northern Thai melody in The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music (edited by Terry E. Miller, Sean Williams) composed by Michael Curran
Curran calls the source melody "Northern Thai". He used the music notes in the book, but realized he diverged from it. He also used other Thai songs he listened to when composing these themes. Peace theme is very inviting and warm. Ramkhamhaeng isn’t always friendly though. War theme is alright.
Suryavarman's theme is friendly, but is that really Khmer music?
Songhai: Gambia Folk Song composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Not sure which Gambia folk song this is based on. Michael Curran told me he found it on youtube. There was a man playing an instrument similar to the banjo (log drums and kalimba in Curran's piece is similar) And isn’t Gambia not really the core of the Songhai empire. Perhaps they should have used something from Mali. One of my favorite peace themes. Fits with the background. There is a woman singing in the background, in which language I have no idea. Vocal parts are from samples Curran owns and he doesn't know what the lyrics are.
Mansa Musa theme had a lot of bells?
Spain: Viva La Quince Brigada composed by Geoff Knorr
Ay Carmela, Republican song dating from the Spanish Civil war, melody is a folk tune dating back to the early 19th century. Very good peace and war themes. It’s not that old of a song, but it works well for Spain. War theme sounds very heroic despite atrocities by Conquistadors.
Malaguena is good, but I love the Ay Carmela renditions.
Sweden coming soon
America: America the Beautiful composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Patriotic song, lyrics written by Katharine Lee Bates and music by Samuel A. Ward. 1895. Peace theme does a great job of evoking freedom and such. War theme shows this song could actually work in this way.
Washington's Artillery March would prolly work if Georgie was on horseback on some battlefield.
Arabia: Thikriati; Hijaz Maqam composed by Geoff Knorr
There are two sources for this melody. They are Thikriati, a traditional Arabic melody and one of the traditional ancient calls to prayer melodies of the Hijaz Maqam. Hijaz Maqam refers to specific way a particular melodic mode should be played and improvised in Arabic traditional music. Knorr first heard Thikriati on an album called Musicians from Al Kamandjati Live
What’s funny is that part of the war theme reminded me of Aladdin. Could be intentional. I find the peace theme to be quite mellow at the beginning, then later epic. Both themes are good overall.
Saladin's theme is faster, but was prolly an original composition.
Aztec: Cora Mitote Song from Santa Teresa composed by Michael Curran
The Cora are an indigenous people in Mexico who speak a language related to Nahuatl. Mitote means song. Very peaceful sounding, but the war theme is pure terror like those Jaguar warriors are roaming the jungle for their prey!.
Tenochtitlan Revealed is original and not really like Mesoamerican music.
Austria: coming soon
Babylon: A Zaluzi to the Gods (Hurrian Hymn 6, or Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal copied by Ammurabi) composed by Roland Rizzo
Some of the oldest recorded music on tablets found in Ugarit. I read opinions which dislike their music. But, its based on a real melody. The war theme is catching to me.
Hammurabi's theme is more peaceful but not suited for Nebby. Hammy is waving his arms around and showing you his gardens. Nebby drops his cup and is in complete darkness save for the fires.
Byzantine coming soon
Carthage coming soon
Celts coming soon
China: Gao Shan Liu Shui composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Means high mountains, flowing water. Quqin pieces associated with Bo Ya in the Warring States Period. Being of Chinese descent, it makes me feel proud of my homeland, despite disliking its current rulers.
Shining Path is amateur compared with this. So is Qin Shi Huang's theme.
Denmark: Drømte mig en drøm i nat composed by Michael Curran
Drømte mig en drøm i nat (“I dreamt me a dream”
is the oldest known Danish folk song and the piece is also inspired by Nobilis Humilis, written by Orkney monks, Curran found both melodies on a site called Viking Answer Lady. Some people also dislike this song, but I think it fits Viking era Denmark. Not sure where the lyrics in the war theme are from.Ragnar's theme starts out weird, what with all the grunting. Did Norse actually do that in their music? Only late one is good.
Dutch/Netherlands coming soon
Egypt: Ancient Egyptian Melody Fragments composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Sounds like Ancient Egypt. Not sure if based on real music from that time period. Curran got his melody from here "Music of the Ancient Sumerians, Egyptians & Greeks" by "The Ensemble De Organographia", particularly the track Harp Piece (A) and the 1st track Anon-Musical Excerpts . War theme is pretty epic, as it reminds me of a chariot charge with archers shooting arrows.
Harvest of the Nile is meh for me. Worked in earlier games.
England: I Vow to Thee, My Country composed by Geoff Knorr
Uses a British patriotic hymn with a melody by Gustav Holst. Poem was by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. A very pleasant peace theme for this country. The war theme is epic with the marching music.
Fonfare Rondeau may fit Lizzie's times better, but I prefer Holst's music. It's very patriotic.
Ethiopia coming soon
France: Cancan composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Music hall dance, possibly from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Peace theme is nice sounding and war theme is intimidating. Lyrics are in a post below.
La Marseillaise rendition is horrible, particularly the first one
Germany: Ode to Joy composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Famous song by Beethoven (in his 9thSymphony) with the lyrics by Friedrich Schiller. Pleasant sounding peace theme, but the war theme is quite scary with the organ and such.
Bismarck's old theme (also by Beethoven) is too slow and low for my tastes. Frederick's fares better.
Greece: Epitaph of Seikilos composed by Geoff Knorr
One of the oldest surviving music compositions today. Found on a tombstone in Modern Turkey. I like the peace theme a lot. War theme is quite good as well. Wish they included the singing though.
Alex's old theme is faux ancient Greek, was actually the Greco-Roman diplomacy theme in 3.
Hun coming soon
Inca: Traditional Inca Melody Fragments composed by Geoff Knorr
Certainly sounds like traditional Andean music. Not sure if it’s based on specific melodies. Knorr took the music from this CD http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/incamusic/, particularly the track Wayno. A favorite of mines, the melody evoke the Andes. War theme is very tribal.
Huayna Capac's theme is also meh for me, maybe works for that guy in game.
India: Raga Asa composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Indian musical raga (composition) appears in Sikh tradition from northern India, part of Sikh holy scripture. Peace theme sounds very westernized, but the war theme contains singing. Does anybody know where the lyrics are from or if they are in Hindi?
Gandhi's old theme sounds more authentic, but I have no idea where they got it from.
Iroquois: Ho, Ho, Watanay composed by Ian Smith
Iroquois lullaby, means “Sleep, sleep, little ones”. Peace theme is very soothing, while the war one is tribal and quite intimidating and haunting.
Japan: Rokudan no Shirabe composed by Geoff Knorr
Means Music of Six Steps. By Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1600’s). Peace theme fits it well with Oda’s background. War theme is very scary, as it reminds me of the Japanese atrocities in WW2. My family are from Malaysia and Singapore, both conquered by this nation. Several relatives were killed.
I like Tokugawa's Sakura Sakura, but only the late version.
Korea: Arirang, composed by Michael Curran
Korea folk song sometimes considered unofficial national anthem of Korea. Peace theme is very pleasant sounding. War theme is suspenseful and suitable for the scene.
Korea's civ4 theme is inferior
Maya coming soon
Mongolia: Traditional Mongolian Long Song (Urtiin Duu) composed by Geoff Knorr
This is a traditional form of Mongol singing. Not sure if it’s based on a specific Long Song. One of my favorite peace songs. It sounds like Chinese music b/c the Erhu and Mongolian string instrument share a common origin. The one used here is actually a cello. Knorr took this song from Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet. The Long song is performed by Khongorzul Ganbaatar. War theme makes me think of the Mongol hordes destroying everything.
Mongol Internationale is ok, but I love the cello in this new theme.
Ottoman: Ceddin Deden composed by Geoff Knorr
Janissary marching band music, has hints of Beethoven and Mozart in the War Theme. Nice choice for the Ottoman theme. Especially like the war theme with its booming march music.
I like Mehmed's theme, not sure if based off real Turkish music
Persia: Morghe Sahar composed by Geoff Knorr
Song in Persian classical music tradition, music by Morteza Neydavood, poetry by Malakosho’araa-ye Bahaar, composed during later years of Qajar Dynasty. Very emotional song, reminds me of a Persia now long gone. War theme sounds very sad compared to others.
Hammurabi's code is not Persian, it's generic Middle Eastern.
Polynesia: Hole Waimea composed by Geoff Knorr
Spearmakers of Waimea, chant originally made for Kamehameha, war there also has “I ku mau” chant from I ku mau mau. Peace theme is very nice sounding. War theme sounds very cool.
Rome: Ancient Roman Melody Fragments composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Not sure if this sounds like real Roman music, but it does evoke Rome. Curran got his fragments from here http://classics.uc.edu/music/michigan/index.html War theme reminds of all the legions marching out to vanquish their foes.
Rise of Augustus is meh for me.
Russia: Montagues and Capulets composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Composed by Prokofiev, a famous Russian composer. Love his Battle on the Ice. Very forbidding theme. Reminds me of the coldness of Russia. Lyrics are found in a post below.
Catherine's old theme is catchy but what is it based on?
Siam: taken from a Northern Thai melody in The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music (edited by Terry E. Miller, Sean Williams) composed by Michael Curran
Curran calls the source melody "Northern Thai". He used the music notes in the book, but realized he diverged from it. He also used other Thai songs he listened to when composing these themes. Peace theme is very inviting and warm. Ramkhamhaeng isn’t always friendly though. War theme is alright.
Suryavarman's theme is friendly, but is that really Khmer music?
Songhai: Gambia Folk Song composed by Michael Curran, orchestrated by Knorr
Not sure which Gambia folk song this is based on. Michael Curran told me he found it on youtube. There was a man playing an instrument similar to the banjo (log drums and kalimba in Curran's piece is similar) And isn’t Gambia not really the core of the Songhai empire. Perhaps they should have used something from Mali. One of my favorite peace themes. Fits with the background. There is a woman singing in the background, in which language I have no idea. Vocal parts are from samples Curran owns and he doesn't know what the lyrics are.
Mansa Musa theme had a lot of bells?
Spain: Viva La Quince Brigada composed by Geoff Knorr
Ay Carmela, Republican song dating from the Spanish Civil war, melody is a folk tune dating back to the early 19th century. Very good peace and war themes. It’s not that old of a song, but it works well for Spain. War theme sounds very heroic despite atrocities by Conquistadors.
Malaguena is good, but I love the Ay Carmela renditions.
Sweden coming soon
