AliasMittens
Chieftain
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2016
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- 21
Music of Civ VI
- Thread starter Ben.
- Start date
shyPiano
Prince
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- Apr 9, 2015
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- 306
Ey, Ukhnem (or, as it is more commonly known, Volga Boatman's Song) was the theme for Russia in Civilization I and Civilization IV (dunno about Civ II and III).
In Civ IV, they seemed to want to keep Civilization I's themes, but ever since Civ V they seem to want to distance themselves from these, so I'm not so sure they will repeat it.
Hannibal XIII
Warlord
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2008
- Messages
- 149
I'd like Korobelniki, or Polyushko Polye, or Sacred War, or V'Put, or maybe Den Pobedy. Farewell to Slavianka would also be nice.
jekke
Warlord
Farewell to Slavyanka would be super awesome!
I did like music from both civ iv and v, so I suppose it will be ok in civ vi as well... as long as baba yetu and terra nova are gone, I'm happy.
I did like music from both civ iv and v, so I suppose it will be ok in civ vi as well... as long as baba yetu and terra nova are gone, I'm happy.
I have to say the musical progression sounded terrific in PCGamer's music preview--though the banjo is an...interesting choice for America's ancient era music, given that the banjo was invented in the 19th century. 
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd love to hear a lyre cover of "Hard Times." 
The ancient and medieval forms are my personal favorites; the full-orchestra industrial is also very nice; the modern is a little melodramatic and over-the-top for my tastes but also interesting in its own way.
As for "Il Sogno di Volere," it's pretty clear Firaxis wants to keep it under wraps until release day (and I can't say I blame them); I wouldn't worry about it. Though they could have chosen something other than America's theme, which I think we're all sick of hearing in the First Look videos.
Actually, I'm a little baffled that they haven't previewed the other civs' themes in the First Look videos. Given that the First Look videos started with America, I can't help but wonder if that was the original intention and then they just never followed through with it or the memo never got passed along...
I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd love to hear a lyre cover of "Hard Times." The ancient and medieval forms are my personal favorites; the full-orchestra industrial is also very nice; the modern is a little melodramatic and over-the-top for my tastes but also interesting in its own way.As for "Il Sogno di Volere," it's pretty clear Firaxis wants to keep it under wraps until release day (and I can't say I blame them); I wouldn't worry about it. Though they could have chosen something other than America's theme, which I think we're all sick of hearing in the First Look videos.
Actually, I'm a little baffled that they haven't previewed the other civs' themes in the First Look videos. Given that the First Look videos started with America, I can't help but wonder if that was the original intention and then they just never followed through with it or the memo never got passed along...
blackcatatonic
Queen of Meme
But the USA was only invented in the 18th century so not that far offI have to say the musical progression sounded terrific in PCGamer's music preview--though the banjo is an...interesting choice for America's ancient era music, given that the banjo was invented in the 19th century.
As for "Il Sogno di Volere," it's pretty clear Firaxis wants to keep it under wraps until release day (and I can't say I blame them); I wouldn't worry about it. Though they could have chosen something other than America's theme, which I think we're all sick of hearing in the First Look videos.
Sagax
Emperor
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- Nov 9, 2013
- Messages
- 1,797
I might be overthinking, but IMO obvious Soviet-era military songs aren't the best choice for a theme that is supposed to accompany the civ from ancient times. Partially because there are already so many stereotypes, jokes, and memes about (Soviet) Russia that, when mixed with recent developments in international affairs, will make most of the military songs seems like another cliche choice with a potentially sour aftertaste...
I would suggest some more "peaceful" pieces for Russia:
1. Moscow Nights - very iconic piece that you will find in every music box made in Russia.
2. Kalinka - if you want something faster. Although the original piece becomes TOO fast and can feel like a "clown fiesta" in a chill setting of Civ games.
3. Okay, maybe Katyusha because the song is OP and sounds great with only balalaika or gusli in ancient eras.... but I'd prefer Moscow Nights.
I would suggest some more "peaceful" pieces for Russia:
1. Moscow Nights - very iconic piece that you will find in every music box made in Russia.
2. Kalinka - if you want something faster. Although the original piece becomes TOO fast and can feel like a "clown fiesta" in a chill setting of Civ games.
3. Okay, maybe Katyusha because the song is OP and sounds great with only balalaika or gusli in ancient eras.... but I'd prefer Moscow Nights.
God of Kings
Ruler of all heads of state
Montagues and Capulets (used as Catherine the Great's theme Civ V) would be very anachronistic when played with just the balalaika.
Katyusha could be used. Kalinka is too fast-paced and better belongs in a hockey arena.
Bylina (by Vasily Kalinnikov) could also be used as Russia's theme, especially given that it is a pre-Soviet composition.
Katyusha could be used. Kalinka is too fast-paced and better belongs in a hockey arena.
Bylina (by Vasily Kalinnikov) could also be used as Russia's theme, especially given that it is a pre-Soviet composition.
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Sagax
Emperor
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- Nov 9, 2013
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Or in an early rush domination strat
My issue with Katyusha comes in modern eras - to me the modern iterations will just sound too militaristic. Maybe Christopher Tin can do some magic, but IMO the song's rhythm makes it hard for conventional musical instruments to mellow out.
God of Kings
Ruler of all heads of state
Here's Bylina:
An excerpt can be used for Russia.
An excerpt can be used for Russia.
Except in Civ, where it was invented in 2000 BC alongside every other major civilization.But the USA was only invented in the 18th century so not that far off
But yeah, I'm not really complaining about it--just noting it's an interesting choice. 
Gabriel Sergio
Warlord
Good chance, Russia theme gonna be minor.
I can't find the right video of the song with Spain in the let's play that's audible while those that play the song but with commentary over can cost your ears.
Here's a video of the song itself.
All I know of the song is that they are not sure who composed it and listed several spanish composers as possible authors of that piece. It is likely composed in late 18th to 19th century, if my memory serves me.[/QUOTE]
Here's a video of the song itself.
All I know of the song is that they are not sure who composed it and listed several spanish composers as possible authors of that piece. It is likely composed in late 18th to 19th century, if my memory serves me.[/QUOTE]
DeutschDachs
Emperor
I believe I am safe to assume this, but Christopher Tin's piece is going to be the main menu theme and not the current song which is also used for the First Looks right?
The menus seem so bad right now with 80% of the space being blue and that song doesn't really fit, but I am expecting they're just waiting to reveal Tin's new composition
The menus seem so bad right now with 80% of the space being blue and that song doesn't really fit, but I am expecting they're just waiting to reveal Tin's new composition
I like how the ancient eras suggest the era with sparse instrumentation, while still retaining a folk flavour of the civ. While the banjo didn't exist until the 19th century (and let's face it, neither did Hard Times Come Again No More 
), it is a distinctively American instrument. Hearing their early music on a banjo, and Russia's on a balalaika is preferable to hearing everyone's music played on an assortment of drums or lyres.
), it is a distinctively American instrument. Hearing their early music on a banjo, and Russia's on a balalaika is preferable to hearing everyone's music played on an assortment of drums or lyres.
blackcatatonic
Queen of Meme
I'm wondering if there will be generic background music as well as the Civ-specific themes? I kind of hope so, as while the Civ themes I've heard so far are lovely (and they are), it would be nice to have a little more variety given how long Civ games often are.
Theophilos
Warlord
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2016
- Messages
- 138
WHY CANT THEY DO GRUNTING/CLAPPING/SKULLCRUSHING AS MUSIC FOR STONE AGE?
Civ IV music fit the beginning perfectly. Yet here in Civ VI, we are confronted with string instruments of intricate construction when man was in a near primitive state!
I am suprised at the quality of the pieces, and the research of melodies, but I am dissapointed in their decision to force these melodies to all eras, and especially their decision to not use instruments of the eras specifically (or at least instruments which produce sounds which we conflate with those eras in our mindset)
Civ IV music fit the beginning perfectly. Yet here in Civ VI, we are confronted with string instruments of intricate construction when man was in a near primitive state!
I am suprised at the quality of the pieces, and the research of melodies, but I am dissapointed in their decision to force these melodies to all eras, and especially their decision to not use instruments of the eras specifically (or at least instruments which produce sounds which we conflate with those eras in our mindset)
Contrast Civ VI's American themes with Washington's in Civ VI.
The theme, Washington's Artillery March is present throughout. In the Ancient and Classical eras it is played only on drums. In the Medieval through Renaissance, it is played on its contemporary fife and drum. Industrial and Modern, we get a very MIDI-sounding attempt at a horn part. In my view, the middle version is by far the best and richest, because its instrumentation fits thematically with Washington as the leader, and a Revolutionary-era American civ. The other two pale in comparison, despite being an attempt to fit with instruments available in the era (although the snare drum in the back of the Ancient Era is surely anachronistic?). In the early version the drums really don't do a good job of conveying the melody, and as a result early era tunes sound quite similar across various different civs.
I vastly prefer Civ VI's approach. While banjos are anachronistic, they give a much richer sound even from the beginning of the game, and help to give a unique flavour to each Civ's theme. The leader music has come on leaps and bounds in terms of arrangement.
The theme, Washington's Artillery March is present throughout. In the Ancient and Classical eras it is played only on drums. In the Medieval through Renaissance, it is played on its contemporary fife and drum. Industrial and Modern, we get a very MIDI-sounding attempt at a horn part. In my view, the middle version is by far the best and richest, because its instrumentation fits thematically with Washington as the leader, and a Revolutionary-era American civ. The other two pale in comparison, despite being an attempt to fit with instruments available in the era (although the snare drum in the back of the Ancient Era is surely anachronistic?). In the early version the drums really don't do a good job of conveying the melody, and as a result early era tunes sound quite similar across various different civs.
I vastly prefer Civ VI's approach. While banjos are anachronistic, they give a much richer sound even from the beginning of the game, and help to give a unique flavour to each Civ's theme. The leader music has come on leaps and bounds in terms of arrangement.
I would expect so, or at least I would hope so. On the other hand, now that you mention it, the fact that other civs' themes play as well is not encouraging...
You realize, of course, that Civ starts in the Late Chalcolithic, not the Neolithic let alone the Paleolithic. Stringed instruments are ancient, if not as ancient as reeds and percussions; they just feel more modern because they've changed more over the millennia. I do agree that I'd prefer a genuinely ancient stringed instrument to the banjo, but I have to admit that the banjo doesn't really feel that out of place--certainly not like, say, a guitar would. It at least has that taut plucky sound that I associate with lyres, ouds, erhu, and other ancient strings.
