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.
Festive and celebratory traditional African background music. Bright and uplifting. Available in several different mixes/versions with various instruments included or removed from the mix. [Tempo: Fast / 190 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]
This track is created in documentary style. It features Acoustic Guitars, flute, indian percussion, mandolin, gamelan bells, strings, organ and drums. Suspense and mystery lead to a feeling of hopefulness and positive Himalayan Spirituality. Section three feels upbeat, positive and a feeling of finality. Plenty of underscore to work with. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 110 BPM]
A slightly quirky and tense piece with ethnic percussion and piano. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 132 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]
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]
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]
A peaceful, calm ambient track blending Japanese instruments (erhu, percussion) with strings, bass guitar and electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 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]
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]
Dramatic and dark solo piano composition. Tragic but beautiful music full of nostalgia and dramatism about the memories of the past, reminscence of lost loved ones. This emotional composition can greatly enhance dramatic trailers, films, documentaries and videos. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 62 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]
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]
India, modern meets traditional. Corporate, technology, with tabla, percussion and orchestra. [Tempo: Fast / 119 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]
Suspenseful, dramatic, ethereal, epic, spacious, moody, atmospheric cinematic rock track that gradually builds in intensity. Starts with dhol drums & various synths join in as it goes. Exciting, tense, thrilling, rhythmically hypnotic & climactic. Would suit action / thriller / sports / combat / crime type projects. [Tempo: Medium / 119 BPM]
Uplifting, exciting future bass music with Hip Hop influences and a subtle Oriental / Asian flavour. Strong punchy beats, layered tremolo synths, occasional guitar licks. Catchy hooks, builds, risers and ear candy effects such as sudden pauses, beat skipping or stutters. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 140 BPM]
Authentic world pop features African percussion and melodies. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 104 BPM]
Calm, exotic, peaceful, dancing, pretty & relaxing track mixing kalimba with beach percussion. Thoughtful, soothing, serene, simple, repetitive and full of tropical holiday / beach atmosphere. Would suit dramatic / romantic / documentary / travel type projects. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 77 BPM]
A 15th century music dance that originated in France, and went on to be used in popular culture and danced at courts all over medieval and Renaissance Europe. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring real live instruments modeled on the actual instruments of the Medieval and Renaissance music times, including hand percussion, Renaissance Recorder, Hurdy Gurdy and Bouzouki. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 199 BPM]
Inspired by the Salburun Eagle Hunting Festival of Kyrgyzstan, this music track begins solemnly but has a lively mid section that feel like a true celebration of the festival and all that surrounds it. Oriental / World / Travel Music. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 96 BPM]
Traditional Chinese music with traditional instruments create a folklike and lively picture. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Calm and relaxing, this track features traditional Chinese instruments in a light and airy setting. Perfect for travel, culture or history. Meditative and noble. [Tempo: Slow / 60 BPM]
Beautiful and evocative melody played on bansuri and dilruba accompanied by Indian percussion. This track has a very rural and folklike feel to it. Travel and culture. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 86 BPM]
Travel back to ancient Japan with this mesmerizing piece. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
Beethoven Symphony No.5, Op.67 in C minor, 1. allegro con brio (Excerpt). Arranged and recorded by Bryan Chi. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 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]
Händel's Sarabande, arranged for string section and harpsichord. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Featuring traditional African instruments, such as Cora and Kalimba this track is in a world fusion style and is very evocative and charged with an African spirit. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
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]
Traditional percussion instruments combine with an electronic flair and mysterious background vocal tracks to create this grooving piece. [Tempo: Medium / 106 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]
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]
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]
Peaceful, calm ambient track blending japanese instruments (koto, erhu, shakuhachi, percussion) with electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 BPM]
J. S. Bach: Air on a G String for orchestra with violin and harpsichord.Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Very slow, 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]
Ambient, atmospheric track with a World / Middle East / Egyptian atmosphere. Mystical and mysterious, great for exploration, perhaps ancient Egypt, discovery, adventure, mystery. [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. "Tembea" means Walk, and this music is inspired by the sound and feel of walking. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 175 BPM]
Ambient Indian music with an air of mystery and tension featuring sitar, percussion, flute and strings. Great for travel, movies, documentaries or any project in need of an exotic, asian underscore. [Tempo: Medium / 120 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]
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]
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]
Chinese pop music with a traditional edge. Features traditional Chinese instruments bawu and pipa. Happy and uplifting music. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
Nostalgic and intense. Deep and Honest. The Milonga is a Latin musical genre that originated in the Rio de la Plata areas of Argentina and Uruguay and represents in a reliable way the feeling of the people in those lands. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 67 BPM]
Calm and positive music featuring traditional Japanese / Oriental instruments. Meditative and cultural. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 58 BPM]
A waltz featuring authentic style of Arabic / international feel, played in a minor key and accompanied with oriental percussion. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 106 BPM]
Live piano music performance of the classical Beethoven piece. Movement 2. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Mysterious, dark and ethereal soundscapes with a hypnotic, tribal influenced, repetitive drum beat. Dark / Eerie / Mystical. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
Relaxed, exotic and mysterious African track with traditional instrumentation and cinematic strings. Suitable for movies and documentaries. [Tempo: Medium / 89 BPM]
