2016 Game Audio Network Guild Awards
F O R Y O U R C O N S I D E R A T I O N
M u s i c o f t h e Y e a r
This montage track gives a brief glance at the diversity and progression of the soundtrack and features the following excerpts:
0:00 - "Sogno di Volare" (Main Theme)
1:04 - "America - The Medieval Era"
1:36 - "France - The Medieval Era"
2:14 - "Kongo - The Medieval Era"
2:50 - "Arabia - The Industrial Era"
3:28 - "China - The Industrial Era"
4:02 - "Greece - The Industrial Era"
4:46 - "Japan - The Atomic Era"
5:35 - "Russia - The Atomic Era"
6:44 - "America - The Atomic Era"
7:52 - "Sogno di Volare"
For further listening, the entire soundtrack album can be streamed on Youtube here. Listen to Christopher Tin's main theme, "Sogno di Volare," on Youtube here.
Brief Overview:
The Sid Meier's Civilization VI soundtrack features an impressive array of composers and diverse musicians to accompany the game, released worldwide on October 21, 2016. GRAMMY award-winning composer Christopher Tin returned to the series to compose the intro movie underscore and main title theme. Series veteran and IFMCA award-winning composer Geoff Knorr returned to compose and oversee the in-game music. He was assisted by Roland Rizzo and Phill Boucher.
Christopher Tin's opening choral theme, "Sogno di Volare" ("The Dream of Flight") uses lyrics taken from the writings of Leonardo da Vinci and musically reflects the game's inspiration by the Age of Exploration.
The in-game music features a vast collection of newly composed arrangements of popular folk melodies and original music to underscore each of the nineteen civilizations progressing through eras in the game. Simple versions of each civilization's theme gradually build to grand, intricate, sweeping orchestral-electronic arrangements over the course of hundreds of turns and thousands of years in the game.
The soundtrack features extensive performances by ethnic instrumentalist virtuosi, bringing authenticity and nuance to each of the diverse musical traditions represented in the game. The soundtrack also features performances by the Angel City Choral, Cappella SF, Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra, Kühn Mixed Choir, and Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra.
A few of the diverse performers featured on the soundtrack:
Praise for the Sid Meier's Civilization VI Soundtrack:
“Sogno di Volare is just as sweeping, catchy, and beautiful as Baba Yetu...The real magic happens past the menu screen, however, where each and every civ has a main theme that grows more complex and epic as you progress through the ages.
Simply put, it’s incredible.”
— PC Gamer
“And the music; goodness gracious the music...Civ 6 features the most complete and consistently catchy soundtrack of any game in the series. The manner in which each civilization’s signature tune riffs off a central theme and builds in complexity as the eras roll past to become more sophisticated, layered tracks is stunning.”
— Eurogamer.net
“I must give a shout-out to the music, which is pleasant, varied, and tone-appropriate background for world conquest. ”
— IGN
“The soundtrack is amazing. Every civilization has their own unique theme that rings out while you’re playing and that theme evolves as you transition across each era. The music also dynamically mixes as you meet new civilizations, giving each game its own aural fingerprint.”
— USgamer
“Music is also a highlight. In-game music evolves each nation’s theme as the game progresses to become more epic as you advance through the ages. It’s enchanting...”
— The Sixth Axis
“Civ 6’s soundtrack is similarly seamless. Each track folds over the next as you progress through the ages, and each one represents different styles, eras, and cultures. The tracks are like pages in a book—all one part of the whole after another and another."
— Ars Technica
Credits List:
“Sogno di Volare” (Main Theme)
Composed by Christopher Tin
Lyrics by Leonardo da Vinci, adapted by Chiara Cortez
Performed by Angel City Chorale, Cappella SF and the Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra
Mixed by Jason Schweitzer
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Skywalker Sound, The Bridge and MRTV Studio M1
Recording Engineers: Andrew Dudman, Leslie Ann Jones, Milton Gutierrez and Giorgi Hristovski
Additional Arrangements by Alex Williamson
Additional Orchestrations by Jerome Leroy
Angel City Chorale Music Director: Sue Fink
Cappella SF Music Director: Ragnar Bohlin
Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra Conductor : Oleg Kondratenko
In-game civilization and era specific music:
Composed by Geoff Knorr and Roland Rizzo
Additional electronics and arranging by Phill Boucher
Performed by the Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra conducted by Andy Brick
Rita Čepurčenko, Concertmistress
Kühn Mixed Choir
Marek Vorlíček, Choir Conductor
Jan Holzner, Orchestra and Choir Recording Engineer
Petr Pycha, Orchestra Contractor
Geoff Knorr, Orchestrator
Orchestra Recorded at Smecky Music Studios
Niccolo Seligmann, Bass Viol, Vielle, Kemençe
Deepak Ram, Bansuri
Bing Xia, Guzheng
Chakib Hilali, Oud, Ney, Kawala
Kylie Hilali, Qanun
Brad Kolodner, Banjo
Patrick McAvinue, Fiddle
Kahil Nayton, Cavaquinho
Cesar Garabini, 7-string guitar
Sissel Morken Gullord, Norwegian Bukkehorn
Andrei Saveliev, Balalaika
Mathew Poovan, Sitar
Souvik Ghosh, Tabla
Chris Reber, Mandolin
Dave Hadley, Dobro
Benjamin Beirs, Classical Guitar
Sandro Freidrich, Duduk, Hotchiku, Recorder, Bombarde, Pivava, Tenor Pivana, Schwegel, Occorsoflute, Kaval, Ciaramella, Bass Recorder, Bena, Erdklangfloete, Ocarina, Floyera, Doucaine, Tin Whistle
Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, Shakuhachi
Roland Rizzo, South American Flutes
Geoff Knorr, 9-String Golden Lyre of Erato
Jon Anders Narum, Norwegian Bukkenhorn Recording Engineer
Caleb Vaughn-Jones, Congolese Instruments Recording Engineer
Kyle du Preez, African vocals
Additional recording at:
Radio Active Productions Publishing Studio
The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn NYC
Peabody Institute Recording Arts and Sciences
Central Presbyterian Church
Mixed and mastered by Geoff Knorr