Morningcalm
Keeper of Records
The music in Gods and Kings is divine, as expected. Below you'll find links to some of the in-game songs and the original songs they are based on. I'd encourage you all to share your thoughts on the music in this thread! Feel free to provide more info/insight about the songs when you come across it.
Playlist of all in-game music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oliT3bG2Vfc&list=PL8E1E320586B60755&feature=plpp_play_all
Geoff Knorr's website also has a playlist of all the music, and it's easier to access individual songs from it, also has the scores for viewing:
http://www.geoffknorr.com/Video Games.html
Opening cinematic:
Composed by Michael Curran; Orchestrated by Geoff Knorr
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Jillian Aversa, Soprano
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
Link to video.
--------
Main theme, sung in Latin and taken from biblical text, specifically the hymn "Te Deum Laudamus" (Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur). The complete lyrics can be found in the score - see Michael Curran's website http://michaelcurran.net/audio.html and click on "view score." The original Te Deum song is also known as Ambrosian Hymn or A Song of the Church, and is attributed to two Fathers and Doctors of the Church, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. It is one the most majestic chants in the Liturgy of the Church. It is sung in traditional seminaries and monastic houses at the Divine Office and for Double feasts of the First Class, The Nativity, Easter, Corpus Christi, Epiphany, Pentecost and those which have an Octave. The solemn Te Deum is sung on all occasions of public Church rejoicing (in Traditional Catholic Churches).
Original:
Link to video.
Original, Mozart rendition:
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
-----------------
LEADER THEMES
In-game versions:
Composed by Michael Curran; Orchestrated by Geoff Knorr
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Attila: Li Ling Si Han, or "Li Ling Thinks of Han."
A Chinese melody from ancient times about Li Ling, a Han Chinese military leader who, after demonstrating great bravery and skill in archery, was welcomed by the Xiongnu (ancient Huns, or ancestors of the Huns). The Huns had apparently taken Han leaders captive, slaughtered many Han Chinese troops. Li Ling was given a Xiongnu wife, and when the Emperor Han Wudi found out Li Ling was with the Xiongnu, he executed his wife and children. Yikes. Li Ling himself never returned to Han China, dying in Xiongnu lands.
Original Li Ling song:
http://www.silkqin.com/06hear/xltq/xl100lls.mp3
Here are the in-game versions:
Attila Peace (yeah right):
Link to video.
Attila War(RAZE IT ALL):
Link to video.
Boudicca: Lord Gregory, The Lass of Aughrim
The Irish ballad, "The Lass of Aughrim," based on a Child Ballad, "Lord Gregory," which was famously featured in James Joyce's short story, "The Dead." It is the story of a young girl who is made pregnant by a man, in some versions, against her will, and then seeks refuge after giving birth to his child. The Irish and Scottish versions differ, but have much cultural significance.
Original:
Link to video.
Maria Theresa : Requiem Mass in D minor.
Mozart's work. If you don't know it, you are an uncivilized brute who clearly has not sipped Viennese coffee and listened to the hills where music streams through the valleys.
Link to video.
Queen Dido of Carthage: Hymn to Nikkal.
This sounds similar to Nebuchadnezzar's theme, because both are taken from the same source: ancient Hurrian hymns and fragments. Nikkal was the wife of the moon god.
In-game:
Link to video.
Link to video.
Gustav Adolphus: Du Gamla, Du Fria
The Swedish National Anthem, instrumental version below.
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
Haille Selassie: Traditional melody + Selassie's National Anthem
Unnamed traditional melody used, also the Ethiopian National Anthem from Selassie's time as leader. After Selassie's reign, the anthem was changed. The in-game track uses the national anthem about halfway through Haille's Peace theme.
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
Pacal the Great: Traditional melody fragments
Unnamed Mayan melodies. The source material was probably similar to the source the composers used for the Incan music.
The War theme is a little odd, very ominous and creepy. APOCALYPSE.
Empress Theodora: Phos Hilaron, or "Hail Gladdening Light."
Civfanatics who suggested medieval chants got their wish: monks chanting for the Byzantines. Phos Hilaron is "an ancient Christian hymn, perhaps the oldest Christian hymns, dating from the 3rd or 4th century. We say it when a new liturgical day begins, at Vespers. It is an invitation to praise the One God in three "hypostas" at the moment when the physical light disappears and a new one should be lit: the light of wisdom." It's a song revered in Orthodox Christianity.
Link to video.
In-game version:
Link to video.
Credits:
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor;
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
William of Orange: In Naam van Oranje
A well-known Dutch song whose title means "In the name of Orange."
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
SCENARIOS
1. Fall of Rome
Link to video.
Based on a melody from the book "The Music of the Bible Revealed" by Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura. Has some of the instruments used in the Augustus theme, with an early Roman theme echoing sadly.
2. Medieval/Renaissance: Messe de Notre Dame
Medieval choral music by Guillaume de Machaut, a famous medieval poet and scholar. Messe de Notre Dame is the earliest known version of the Original Mass set to a melody, dating to the 14th century A.D. The song itself sounds spiritual and haunting.
Link to video.
Credits:
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor;
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
3. Smoky Skies: Cherry Ripe
Based on a popular tune from the 19th century called "Cherry Ripe" by Charles Edward Horn.
Link to video.
The song reminds me of a quiet Christmas with snow falling and toys mysteriously moving in store windows.
Playlist of all in-game music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oliT3bG2Vfc&list=PL8E1E320586B60755&feature=plpp_play_all
Geoff Knorr's website also has a playlist of all the music, and it's easier to access individual songs from it, also has the scores for viewing:
http://www.geoffknorr.com/Video Games.html
Opening cinematic:
Composed by Michael Curran; Orchestrated by Geoff Knorr
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Jillian Aversa, Soprano
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
Link to video.
--------
Main theme, sung in Latin and taken from biblical text, specifically the hymn "Te Deum Laudamus" (Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur). The complete lyrics can be found in the score - see Michael Curran's website http://michaelcurran.net/audio.html and click on "view score." The original Te Deum song is also known as Ambrosian Hymn or A Song of the Church, and is attributed to two Fathers and Doctors of the Church, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. It is one the most majestic chants in the Liturgy of the Church. It is sung in traditional seminaries and monastic houses at the Divine Office and for Double feasts of the First Class, The Nativity, Easter, Corpus Christi, Epiphany, Pentecost and those which have an Octave. The solemn Te Deum is sung on all occasions of public Church rejoicing (in Traditional Catholic Churches).
Original:
Link to video.
Original, Mozart rendition:
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
-----------------
LEADER THEMES
In-game versions:
Composed by Michael Curran; Orchestrated by Geoff Knorr
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Attila: Li Ling Si Han, or "Li Ling Thinks of Han."
A Chinese melody from ancient times about Li Ling, a Han Chinese military leader who, after demonstrating great bravery and skill in archery, was welcomed by the Xiongnu (ancient Huns, or ancestors of the Huns). The Huns had apparently taken Han leaders captive, slaughtered many Han Chinese troops. Li Ling was given a Xiongnu wife, and when the Emperor Han Wudi found out Li Ling was with the Xiongnu, he executed his wife and children. Yikes. Li Ling himself never returned to Han China, dying in Xiongnu lands.
Original Li Ling song:
http://www.silkqin.com/06hear/xltq/xl100lls.mp3
Here are the in-game versions:
Attila Peace (yeah right):
Link to video.
Attila War(RAZE IT ALL):
Link to video.
Boudicca: Lord Gregory, The Lass of Aughrim
The Irish ballad, "The Lass of Aughrim," based on a Child Ballad, "Lord Gregory," which was famously featured in James Joyce's short story, "The Dead." It is the story of a young girl who is made pregnant by a man, in some versions, against her will, and then seeks refuge after giving birth to his child. The Irish and Scottish versions differ, but have much cultural significance.
Original:
Link to video.
Maria Theresa : Requiem Mass in D minor.
Mozart's work. If you don't know it, you are an uncivilized brute who clearly has not sipped Viennese coffee and listened to the hills where music streams through the valleys.
Link to video.
Queen Dido of Carthage: Hymn to Nikkal.
This sounds similar to Nebuchadnezzar's theme, because both are taken from the same source: ancient Hurrian hymns and fragments. Nikkal was the wife of the moon god.
In-game:
Link to video.
Link to video.
Gustav Adolphus: Du Gamla, Du Fria
The Swedish National Anthem, instrumental version below.
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
Haille Selassie: Traditional melody + Selassie's National Anthem
Unnamed traditional melody used, also the Ethiopian National Anthem from Selassie's time as leader. After Selassie's reign, the anthem was changed. The in-game track uses the national anthem about halfway through Haille's Peace theme.
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
Pacal the Great: Traditional melody fragments
Unnamed Mayan melodies. The source material was probably similar to the source the composers used for the Incan music.
The War theme is a little odd, very ominous and creepy. APOCALYPSE.
Empress Theodora: Phos Hilaron, or "Hail Gladdening Light."
Civfanatics who suggested medieval chants got their wish: monks chanting for the Byzantines. Phos Hilaron is "an ancient Christian hymn, perhaps the oldest Christian hymns, dating from the 3rd or 4th century. We say it when a new liturgical day begins, at Vespers. It is an invitation to praise the One God in three "hypostas" at the moment when the physical light disappears and a new one should be lit: the light of wisdom." It's a song revered in Orthodox Christianity.
Link to video.
In-game version:
Link to video.
Credits:
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor;
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
William of Orange: In Naam van Oranje
A well-known Dutch song whose title means "In the name of Orange."
Link to video.
In-game:
Link to video.
SCENARIOS
1. Fall of Rome
Link to video.
Based on a melody from the book "The Music of the Bible Revealed" by Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura. Has some of the instruments used in the Augustus theme, with an early Roman theme echoing sadly.
2. Medieval/Renaissance: Messe de Notre Dame
Medieval choral music by Guillaume de Machaut, a famous medieval poet and scholar. Messe de Notre Dame is the earliest known version of the Original Mass set to a melody, dating to the 14th century A.D. The song itself sounds spiritual and haunting.
Link to video.
Credits:
Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra; Andy Brick, conductor
Daniel Moody, countertenor; Jacob L. Perry Jr., tenor;
Matt Sullivan, baritone; Max Kuzmyak, bass
3. Smoky Skies: Cherry Ripe
Based on a popular tune from the 19th century called "Cherry Ripe" by Charles Edward Horn.
Link to video.
The song reminds me of a quiet Christmas with snow falling and toys mysteriously moving in store windows.
