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.
A laid-back and pretty French waltz. Traditional French instruments and a nice, breezy waltz feel. Quintessentially French, Paris, Parisian, everything that is French. Also works well as old / traditional Fairground music, or an old musical box / Old market square etc. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 140 BPM]
A majestic orchestral soundtrack that depicts a grand and reflective journey. It conjures up images of vast landscapes, epic adventures, and heroic feats. This track features the timeless elegance of an acoustic piano, the emotional depth of violins and cellos, and the captivating melodies of a flute and orchestral brass. It is the perfect soundtrack for breathtaking visuals, whether it's conquering mountains, sailing through uncharted waters, or embarking on a heroic quest. This orchestral piece evokes a sense of awe and stirs the imagination. [Tempo: Medium / 80 BPM]
Beethoven 6th Symphony Op. 68 (Pastoral Symphony) in F major, 1st Movement (Excerpt). Arranged and recorded by Bryan Chi. A happy and simple melody that depicts the joy of arriving at counrtyside. Fresh air and beautiful nature. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Sad and reflective Middle Eastern track featuring qanun accompanied by electric cello and duduk. Great for drama, tragedy etc. Refugees, tragedy, solemn. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Oriental / Eastern music combines with Western influence, as a fusion into in one language, describing mood, narrative (emotions). [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 114 BPM]
Spacious, ethereal, airy, cinematic, thoughtful & dreamy “ambient rock” style. Plucked strings combine with a steady, hypnotic beat to make mesmerising music that would suit dramatic / mystery / detective / documentary type projects. Emotive, introspective, reflective, serious & repetitive. Float off into the sky. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 113 BPM]
Sergei Rachmaninov Prelude op. 32 no. 5 in G Major. Solo piano. Performed live in studio by renowned concert pianist Vadim Chaimovich. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
A tribal and primal sounding peace built on percussion grooves and mysterious, drone like synth pulses. Influences from ancient world cultures come together with futuristic, sci-fi type sounds, to create a fusion of past, present and future. Ominous, mysterious, tense. Think tribes, jungle, rainforest, world beat / mystery. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Sonata No.3 in C major, BWV 1005, 1. Adagio, for String Quartet. Classical music arranged and recorded by the Allegro String Ensemble exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. Live performance. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
A sad and lamentive march performed by fiddle, mandolin and bodhran. Guitar enters at 01:54 as Johnny Cope begins - this is a more upbeat and faster tune in the form of a Hornpipe. Both tunes are very old and popular in Irish pubs. Live musicians on acoustic instruments. This track has two titles because this is traditionally how many Irish pub tunes are performed, as a double set of short tunes, the first leading directly into the second. [Tempo: Medium / 102 BPM]
Joseph Haydn - Symphony No. 104 ("London Symphony") in D Major, Hob. I:104. Movement 1: Adagio - Allegro. Arranged and recorded exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet No. 1 in B-flat Major Hob.III:1; Op. 1 No. 1 'La chasse'. Movement 1: Presto. Classical music recorded with a string quartet live in studio, exclusively for Lynne Publishing by the Allegro String Ensemble. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 Pathetique in C minor, Op. 13: III. Rondo Allegro. Arranged and recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
A mandolin and strings powered look into a dark and dirty world. The space created by the atmospheric music is reminiscent of films like Babel and Syriana. Tortured flute amplifies the tension; whatever is about to happen can't be good! [Tempo: Slow / 135 BPM]
Dark, exotic and cinematic Tango with violin, piano, accordion and upright bass. Perfect for films, commercials and documentaries with scenes of dancing, international travel, fashion, passion, sexual tension, elegance and romance. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 110 BPM]
A set of Irish jigs arranged for fiddle and guitar, with contemporary and fusion influences. Lively, full of energy, and authentic. This track has two titles because this is traditionally how many Irish pub tunes are performed, as a double set of short tunes, the first leading directly into the second. [Tempo: Fast / 120 BPM]
Rimsky-Korsakov - The Tale of Tsar Saltan, A minor, Op. 57: Act III. The Flight of the Bumblebee. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by Y Sazonoff. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 0 BPM]
A romantic piece for orchestra that suggests a waltz, but is written in 6/4 time. With a recognizable melody, the piece builds to a climax. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 110 BPM]
Ethnic, lamenting music track performed live by Rafael Krux. The main form and vibe is in the style of ballade. Can be Slavic / Eastern European, or Middle Eastern / Persian, Celtic or even Viking etc. Sorrowful / Haunting / Ethnic Music. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
An ambient, atmospheric and mystical track featuring yangqin (a Chinese hammered dulcimer), ethnic drums and female chanting. This piece is ideal for Far East projects, documentaries, ancient kingdoms, travel, exotic locations, spiritual landscapes and meditation / relaxation. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 80 BPM]
An introspective, mystical and eerie music piece, suitable for mystery, drama and intrigue. A somewhat unsettling feel, like suppressed memories or an underlying, unresolved issue. Pondering / Searching music. [Tempo: Slow / 126 BPM]
Deep ambient and spacey electronica. Downtempo drums enter later, over lush ambient washes of swirly synth pads. Hypnotic, dreamy, deep grooves. Chilled, Electonic Space Music. (Stem files available.) [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 60 BPM]
Frederic Chopin - Etudes, Etude No. 4 in A minor, Op. 25, Agitato. Solo piano. Performed and recorded exclusively for Lynne Publishing by Abigail Mettry. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Inspired by the Terracotta Warriors of China. The music conveys a sense of majesty, grandeur and power that features traditional Chinese instruments, complimented by a stirring Orchestra. Oriental / Travel / Adventure Music. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 BPM]
Joyful and festive Latin music from the south of Argentina specially used in folk dances. Features violin, nylon guitar and bombo Leguero (Typical Argentine percussion). 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium / 101 BPM]
Johann Sebastian Bach: Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, Solo il per Cembalo in E-flat Major, BWV Anh.129. Classical music performed live in studio, exclusively for Lynne Publishing, by concert pianist Želimir Panić. Note: Although commonly attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, later research indicates that this piece was actually composed by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and as such, this piece also has the title: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach - Sonata in e-flat major, H.16 ; Wq.65/7. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
A traditional Polish Folk song performed with female vocals, violins, accordion and frame drum. Available as a vocal version, and an instrumental versions with accordion lead, or Suka Biłgorajska lead. The Instrumental versions can refer to Ukraine or Belarus as well. This track features a very solemn, melancholic intro part before it gets into the main track itself, which is more upbeat and stoic. [Tempo: Very slow, Medium / 117 BPM]
Chopin Mazurka in A minor op. 17 no. 4 Solo Piano. Performed live in studio by renowned concert pianist Vadim Chaimovich. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
Mozart Symphony No. 40, Movement 1, Molto Allegro. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
A classic waltz in the style of the Viennese waltz, a la Johann Strauss, with a slow build-up towards the climax, featuring smooth transitions from one theme to another. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 140 BPM]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 38 ("Prague Symphony") in D Major, K.504: 2. Andante. Full orchestra. Music recorded and produced by David Hamilton exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Conveying a feeling of desolation and loss, this blues music is the epitome of “a good man feeling down.” Slide resonator guitar plays and a lamenting voice sings over a bluesy, acoustic guitar and simple kick drum. The wordless vocals are searching, giving the track a touch of Gospel – and a sliver of hope. Suitable for poignant moments in dramas and documentaries. Desolation / Deep Blues / Poignant music. Available in several different mixes/version with or without the vocals and layers. [Tempo: Slow / 81 BPM]
Soothing, tranquil, peaceful, ethereal & atmospheric track. beautiful piano lines interweaving with serene radiohead-esque guitars. A slow steady, sedate beat plays over in the background, ticking like a clock, repetitive & hypnotising. Would suit dramatic/romantic/cinematic/documentary type projects. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 111 BPM]
A set of Irish jigs on solo fiddle. Lively and authentic. This track has two titles because this is traditionally how many Irish pub tunes are performed, as a double set of short tunes, the first leading directly into the second. [Tempo: Fast / 180 BPM]
Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, 1. Vivace, for String Quartet. Arranged and recorded by the Allegro String Ensemble exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. Live performance. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Mendelssohn Song Without Words in E major op. 19 no. 1 Solo Piano. Performed live in studio by renowned concert pianist Vadim Chaimovich. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
A feeling of being lost in an unknown place - seeing a way out only turns into another mirage or magical deception. Also great for investigation, analyzing, searching for secrets, piecing together a puzzle. [Tempo: Slow / 120 BPM]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K.183: Movement 3. Menuetto e Trio. Classical music recorded by D Hamilton exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
Jazz combo. Lively, live performed jazz piece with syncopated rhythms. Piano, bass, drums, soprano sax and flute. Sophisticated. Jazz club / Jazz scene. Hints of Pat Metheny Group. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 125 BPM]
A sound for prehistoric man. Stoney and wooden percussion with big drums, sticks and stones. Grunts and ominous basses. Ancient history, tribal life, early human, prehistoric / Jurassic era, jungle mystery, ethnic world, exotic travels, discovery and exploration. Dark, yet alluring. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 130 BPM]
An expansive track with delicate piano and uplifting orchestral strings and brass, suitable for inspirational dramas or corporate videos. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 65 BPM]
Edvard Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Op. 43, No. 2: Ensom vandrer (Solitary traveler). Classical music performed and recorded by concert pianist Zelimir Panic, exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Gentle and uplifting traditional African music with a modern flavor. Features kalimbas, Kora and an African drum ensemble. Available in various mixes with/without different instruments in the mix. [Tempo: Medium / 136 BPM]
Mysterious, sexy and provocative, this track features ethnic Middle Eastern percussion with ney (bamboo flute), santoor, Oud and electric bass. The result is traditional with a modern groove. The pace gradually accelerates towards the ending to a fast paced climax for a powerful impact. Great for dramatic use or documentaries. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 140 BPM]
Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, 1. Promenade in Bb Major, for String Quartet. Arranged and recorded by the Allegro String Ensemble exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. Live performance. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
All live performed, genuine African drum ensemble. Recorded live in one take by the Shabani Jabiri Bakari ensemble from Bagamoyo, Tanzania. "Bata" means duck, and this music piece is inspired by ducks. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
A warm and uplifting short orchestral piece. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
A mysterious tune for acoustic guitar, minimalistic and suspenseful. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 63 BPM]
Fine harps and bamboo flutes take us to an inner harmony. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 70 BPM]
