This is a pretty far reaching concept, because documentaries, culture and art can be of pretty much anything at all, but we've tried to put music in this area that you would expect to hear in documentaries about real world issues, as well as art and culture. The music in this area will be -background- music; music that is meant to just stay in the background, almost unnoticed, to provide a subtle atmosphere while the viewer concentrates on the matter discussed. Often used behind voiceover / narration and interviews, this music will not have any outstanding, loud, or attention grabbing melodies or effects. The music you find here should also go well with historical and cultural subjects.
Melodic, spacious arpeggios, minimalistic and dreamy. Perfect for adding a contemplative atmosphere to film projects, documentaries, or vlogs. Cinematic / Contemplation / Soundtrack. [Tempo: Slow / 100 BPM]
Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op. 32: 2. Venus, the bringer of peace. Adagio. Classical music performed and recorded exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
A traditional historical/heritage, medieval folk music dance that originated in Italy, and was popular in the 15th and 16th century all over Europe. Performed live in a studio setting by the Fleurdelis ensemble playing on authentic live instruments modeled on the actual instruments of the time. Percussion, renaissance recorder, bouzouki and Rabab Kashgar (a long-necked Lute instrument). The tempo picks up from about 00:55. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 88 BPM]
Picture a sleepy town in Mexico, it’s hot, the sun is high in the sky, and the Spanish girl walking by is beautiful, romance is in the air. Nylon Guitars strum, piano melody plays, percussion elements glide in the background. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 112 BPM]
Authentic world pop features African percussion and melodies. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 104 BPM]
An original piece of music, stylized as a medieval funeral march song or torchlight dance. Medieval / Early music / Vikings / Irish Celtic / English / Historical music. Performed live in a studio on Bagpipes, Hurdy Gurdy and Percussion, by the Fleurdelis ensemble. [Tempo: Medium / 188 BPM]
A Renaissance court music dance that originated in Renaissance England and was popular throughout Europe. One of several country dance tunes taken from The Dancing Master by John Playford (1623-1686). Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble using authentic live instruments modeled on the instruments of the original era. Hand percussion, renaissance recorder, Irish Bouzouki and Rabab Kashgar (a long-necked Lute instrument). [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 135 BPM]
An original piece stylized as a medieval era Eastern European folk music dance. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring authentic instruments of the time; the Hurdy-Gurdy, Bouzouki, Recorder and percussion instruments. Excited, busy, happy, celebratory. Early music / Medieval music. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 130 BPM]
Spacey, dreamy,ethereal, trancey, exotic, beaty,dancey track with and Indian / Arabian vibe to it. Ethnic percussion fuses with atmospheric vocal samples to form a groovy & hypnotic ethno-pop. [Tempo: Medium / 122 BPM]
This track features a traditional ethnic African ensemble. It has a dancelike tribal quality and is festive in nature. Great for documentaries, nature and cultural themes. [Tempo: Medium / 107 BPM]
Elegant and stately arrangement of the Purcell Trumpet Tune recorded with live string quartet and trumpet. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
An original composition stylized as a medieval folk dance. Lively and authentic historical music. Performed live in studio by Fleurdelis, featuring Lyre, traditional percussion, Bagpipes and Renaissance Recorder. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 105 BPM]
A slightly quirky and tense piece with ethnic percussion and piano. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 132 BPM]
India or Arabia meets Rnb beat music, with cool Eastern / Oriental instruments, bouzouk, accordion, kanun and oriental percussion that reflects the essence of the orients. Groovy / Exotic / Positive. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
Relaxed and laid back traditional African music with a contemporary mood and feel. Great for festive moments, culture and travel. Lots of mbiras [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 83 BPM]
Mysterious, dark and ethereal soundscapes with a hypnotic, tribal influenced, repetitive drum beat. Dark / Eerie / Mystical. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
A wonderfully exotic track mixing traditional sounds of Africa and its islands in the Indian Ocean with a light, contemporary beat. Features gambri, marimba, electric kalimba, upright bass, ethereal vocals and drums. [Tempo: Medium / 110 BPM]
All live performed, genuine African drum ensemble. Recorded live in one take by the Shabani Jabiri Bakari ensemble from Bagamoyo, Tanzania. "Tembea" means Walk, and this music is inspired by the sound and feel of walking. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 175 BPM]
An original composition stylized as a medieval battle song. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring authentic, live performed instruments modeled on the instruments of medieval music times: Bouzouki, Rabab Kashgar (A long-necked Lute instrument) and percussion. [Tempo: Fast / 130 BPM]
Ambient bells chime in fractal patterns. Relaxing and therapeutic. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Live piano music performance of the classical Beethoven piece. Movement 2. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Authentic Russian folk song / wedding song. Traditional ancient Russian folk music, arranged by Dmitriy Lukyanov, conducted and recorded by Evgeniy Kalyukin. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
An exuberant, mystical, orchestral piece that relies on its own unpredictability and, after a wild tumult, finds itself in tranquil strings. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 80 BPM]
Passionate Latin music composition with authentic acoustic guitars, percussion, bass and drums. Great for films and videos, exotic dance, music for holiday and vacation, travel and fun. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 108 BPM]
A classic Bedouin mood combined with more modern variety of sounds and instruments. Sincere and loving, nostalgic mood from the ancient world of the Orient / Gulf region. The quarter tones have been replaces with normal minor/major chords, the kanun and flute define the emotional parts. Eastern beauty and grace. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 85 BPM]
Influenced by the sights and sounds of China with a driving yet curious and mysterious feel, this track features an array of melodic and non melodic percussion, hulusi, strings and guzheng. Great for films, documentaries, travel, martial arts, history, culture and cuisine. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 125 BPM]
This track starts with a dreamy flute and saz instrument. The scales & harmonies, which are used widely in all of the middle eastern region from Iran to Lebanon, are called "hijaz tune" and is very familiar to all that region. [Tempo: Medium / 105 BPM]
A short koto piece that captures the essence of Japanese musical improvisation. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
A light, positive and uplifting World / Africa track. Nice for documentaries, safari, discovery, travel and enjoyment. [Tempo: Medium / 125 BPM]
An intense Japanese drum groove, with a strong sense of urgency and danger. [Tempo: Medium / 84 BPM]
Combining stylistic elements of traditional Indian music and western film music, this colourful and textured track gradually builds up to an emotional yet resolute and satisfying climax. [Tempo: Medium / 105 BPM]
A dark, ambient, electronic piece, with ominous bass and synth tracks. Elements of science fiction are present, with an overall sound that sits tensely just below the boiling point. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
An ambient dramatic track of strings, piano, and pads, reminiscent of the American Beauty and Road to Perdition soundtracks. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 68 BPM]
A strong Chacarera ( Argentina Folk Music) with all the drive of the farms and the tradition of the gauchos of the pampa in Argentina. Ideal for use with travel images, field landscapes, and cultural documentaries. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium / 110 BPM]
Chinese pop music with a traditional edge. Features traditional Chinese instruments bawu and pipa with Western pop style bass and drums. Mysterious and haunting music. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 90 BPM]
An exotic and passionate World fusion / Eastern / Greek / Mediterranean / Gulf / Oriental music track. Features a live performed Greek Bouzouki instrument. Great music for culture and travel, holiday and vacations, exploring and enjoying new countries and cultures. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
A live performed recording of this traditional Celtic / Irish folk tune. Old Town / Medieval Village / Tavern Music. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 118 BPM]
Emotional and Dramatic Cinematic music piece great for films, trailers and documentaries in the drama genre. Featuring instruments like solo Cello, Orchestral Strings, Acoustic guitar and Piano. [Tempo: Slow / 90 BPM]
Ravel's Bolero (Excerpt) - Arranged and recorded by Bryan Chi. A simple melody accompanied by a light tapping snare drums. More instruments join as the pieces moves forward. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
Mid-tempo track, with a strong Middle-Eastern flavor, this is a hypnotic, meditative, relaxing soundscape for your production. Suitable for films and documentaries set in the Middle-Easter or about related subjects. Also great for pensive, quiet, exotic backdrop for other productions. [Tempo: Slow / 88 BPM]
Festive and joyful traditional Peruvian / South American music. Festures panpipes, charangos and Ocarina. Great for travel and documentaries. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 160 BPM]
Travel back to ancient Japan with this mesmerizing piece. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
Edgy, driven, busy, frenetic, hectic, mad, fevered, excited, crazy and tension filled track using piano, synths & mental drums. Frantic, rhythmic, thrilling & stimulating. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 204 BPM]
The very famous and universally loved The Blue Danube waltz, also known as An der schnen blauen Donau, by Johann Strauss II. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Peaceful traditional Chinese / Far Eastern / Oriental music with a lilting walt like quality. Bawu and Dizi carry the lead along with guzheng, gongs and Daiko to accompany. [Tempo: Slow / 54 BPM]
Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 1st movement. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
A Khaligy style track that brings a fusion mode between world music, and khaligy (emirates, saudi, kuwait, Bahrain) it has a dynamic chorus, then it goes back to to a reflective ambient dream. [Tempo: Medium / 110 BPM]
In the Hall of the Mountain King, from the Peer Gynt suite by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Fast, Very fast / 0 BPM]
An intense Japanese piece. Heavy, grooving percussion combines with traditional wind and string instruments to create a dark, adventurous, and dangerous overall vibe. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 70 BPM]
Cool piano, marimba, bass, and drums in the style of American Beauty give a feeling of sophistication, drama, movement and determination. Energy builds to a tight ending and a reflective coda. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
