Christopher Tin wrote
Civilization VIs main theme, "Sogno di Volare" (translated as "The Dream of Flight"). The theme was written to capture the spirit of exploration not only in "seeking new lands, but also the mental exploration of expanding the frontiers of science and philosophy". Tin premiered the song at a London concert in July 2016. The game's original score was written and orchestrated primarily by
Geoff Knorr, who was assisted by Roland Rizzo and Phill Boucher. It was performed by the Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra. The score was widely acclaimed and was nominated for 2016 Music of the Year by the
Game Audio Network Guild. Knorr, Rizzo, and Boucher returned to score the game's DLCs and expansion packs, which also received award nominations. Each civilization has a main theme which evolves as the player progresses throughout the game's eras. Each theme has four versions, corresponding to the Ancient, Medieval, Industrial, and Atomic eras (the other eras each feature the most recent theme; for example, the Classical era features the theme of the Ancient era). Simple single instrument melodies in the Ancient era turn into orchestral versions of the same melodies in later eras, symbolizing the evolution and growth of one's civilization throughout the ages. Every civilization, excluding Sumeria, also features "ambient" themes that play during the Ancient, Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance eras. During a game session, the themes (main and ambient) of each participating civilization (including eliminated ones) will be featured in the in-game music.
Base game and minor DLCs The main theme of each civilization is written in
bold. The ambient themes are also listed. • America -
Hard Times Come Again No More,
Arkansas Traveler, New Five Cent Piece, Sally in the Garden, Valley Forge • Arabia -
Banat Iskandaria,
Kawala and Sufi improvisation,
Qanun improvisation • Australia (DLC) -
Waltzing Matilda,
Click Go the Shears, Billy of Tea, Ryebuck Shearer, Travelling Down The Castlereagh, The Overlander, With My Swag On My Shoulder,
Didgeridoo improvisation • Aztec -
Traditional nahua music,
Flute improvisation,
Hand drum and
wood drum improvisation • Brazil -
Brejeiro,
Tico-Tico no Fubá, Branca, Tardes Em Lindoia, Terna Saudade • China -
Mo Li Hua,
Guzheng improvisation, Fisherman's Song at Dusk, High Mountain Flowing Water, Lotus Above Water, Rain, Winter Flower • Egypt -
El Helwa Di,
Ney, Sufi, and
Oud improvisation • England -
Scarborough Fair,
Bonny Boy,
Green Bushes,
Greensleeves,
The Bold Grenadier,
High Germany,
Lovely Joan • France -
Tourdion - Quand je bois du vin clairet,
Douce Dame Jolie, E Dame Jolie, Quand Je Suis Mis Au Retour,
Ce fut en mai,
Trouvère and
Flute improv • Germany -
Ich hab die Nacht geträumet, Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär,
Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz, In Stiller Nacht,
Mayenzeit one Neidt, Schwesterlein, Spinn Spinn, • Greece -
Song of Seikilos, Hymn to Helios, Lament of Ajax the Great,
various ancient Greek music melody fragments • India -
Vaishnava Jana To,
Bansuri and
Tabla improvisation • Indonesia (DLC) -
Bapang Selisir,
Rejang Dewa,
Udan Mas, Lenker • Japan -
Lullaby of Itsuki, Beauty of Nature,
Moon Over The Deserted Castle,
Rokudan no shirabe,
Shaku improvisation • Khmer (DLC) -
Khmer Rourm Sam Mawgee, Flower World, Kolon Kolkret, Lao Lik, Pri Prhn, Kawnsaing Snai • Kongo -
Banaha, Mama Munu Dile, Salampasu, percussion improvisation • Macedon (DLC) -
Tino Mori, Berance, Jano Mori,
Duduk improvisation • Norway -
Gjendines Bådnlåt, Bansul etter Beate, Fairy Tale Girl, Prillarguri Fra Land,
Seljefløyte and
Bukkehorn improvisation • Nubia (DLC) -
Allah Musau,
Zafa, Salaam Ya, drums improvisation • Persia (DLC) -
Kereshmeh and Reng-e Shalakhu, Morge Sahar,
Tonbak and
Santur improvisation • Poland (DLC) -
Hej idę w las, Polka music, Czerwienne,
clarinet folk dance • Rome -
Magna Mater, Mare Nostrum,
Aulos,
Brass,
Flute, and
Lute improvisation • Russia -
Kalinka, Tonkaja Rjabina, Bright Shines the Moon, Going Home,
Balalaika improvisation • Scythia -
Original Melody,
Duduk improvisation • Spain -
Recuerdos de la Alhambra,
Romance Anonimo (2 variations),
Guitar improvisation • Sumeria -
Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal Rise and Fall • Cree -
Round Dance Song from The Drums of Poundmaker, Cut Knife Hill,
Hand drum improvisation • Georgia -
Shen Khar Venakhi (Thou Art a Vineyard),
Tsaiqvanes Tamar Kali, Didavoi Nana, Khinstskala, Kuchkhi Bedineri, Lazhghvash, Shairebi, Tsminda Ninos, Utsinares Mas • Korea -
Arirang,
Doraji,
Buk and
Janggu improvisation, Milyang Arirang, drum ensembles improvisation • Mapuche -
Traditional Mapuche music,
Flute,
Kunkulkawe, and
Brass improvisation • Mongolia -
Ukhert Khuiten Khoyor, Urtiin Duu, Jalam Har,
Topshur,
Morin Khuur, and
Khoomi improvisation • Netherlands - '''
Merck Toch Hoe Sterck, Gaillarde e L'esmerillone''',
Canary dance, Domine quando veneris, Vox in Rama, J'ai veu le point du jour, Tu te trompes Phillis,
Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot • Scotland -
Scotland the Brave, Bonnie Dundee,
Cock o' the North,
Chì mi na mòrbheanna,
Hector the Hero,
MacCrimmon's Sweetheart, Believe Me, My Longings,
Snare improvisation, When the Battle is O'er • Zulu -
Uthe Ubhuti Asizomlanda, Halala, Bayisa, Shaka Mamba, Aniboyizobekha, Thula Baba, Encome,
Clapping,
Ululation, and
Sangoma Drum improvisation Gathering Storm • Canada -
Vive la Canadienne, Crooked Stove Pipe, O Canada,
À la claire fontaine,
Ave Maris Stella,
Come All Ye Bold Canadians,
Farewell to Nova Scotia • Hungary -
Hej Dunáról fúj a szél, Cinege cinege, Apor Lázár tánca,
Még azt mondják nem ilik, Régi táncdal, Házasodik a Tücsök, Két Szál Pünkösdrózsa, Szatmári verbunk • Inca -
Siempre Macho, Carnaval de Tambobama, Corazoncito, Piquicha,
Sikuri,
Shakers and drums improvisation • Mali -
Mali Sadio, Masana Seesay, Alla Lakay, Bani, Concoba, Jawara, Jeili Foli Lomba, Kalefa, Sunjata,
Pentatonic improvisation • Maori -
Pokarekare Ana, Ka Mate,
Hine E Hine, Me He Manu Rere,
Paikea,
Tika Tonu Haka • Ottomans -
Yelkenler Biçilecek, Ey büt-i nev edâ olmuşum müptelâ,
Ceddin Deden, Hicaz Hümâyun Peşrevi, Nice Bir, Nikriz Peşrevi, Rast Nakış Beste • Phoenicia -
Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal n°6 (Phoenician version), numerous variations of the same theme with different instruments including the
duduk. • Sweden -
Slängpolska efter Byss-Calle, Helan Går, Polska efter Pelle Fors,
Du gamla, du fria,
Herr Holger,
Herr Mannelig, Ridmarsch efter Byss-Calle
New Frontier Pass • Maya -
Xtoles, Bolonchon, Rabinal Achi, Entrada Gueguechos, Baile del Venado,
Mayan trumpets,
ocarina and percussions improvisations. (A similar melody can be heard in the third movement of
La noche de los mayas by
Silvestre Revueltas.) • Gran Colombia -
Velo que Bonito, Reir Llorando, Pajarillo, Currulao, Indios Farotos,
Cumbia,
Joropo Pajarillo • Ethiopia -
Tizita, Bati, Tizita minor,
Ambassel, Anchihoye Lene • Byzantium -
Ti Ypermácho Stratigṓ,
Phos Hilaron,
Justinian's Hymn, Ton Despotin,
Polychronion of the Basileus • Gaul -
La Brabançonne,
Original Melody, drum solo and metal drums,
lyre improvisations • Babylon -
Original Melody,
gold lyre of Ur, ney and percussions improvisations • Vietnam -
Trống Cơm, Lý kéo chài, Lý giăng câu, Lưu Thuỷ Hành Vân, Lưu Thủy, Kim Tiền, Xuân Phong, Long Hổ, Lý Tình Tang, Tứ Đại Oán, Bèo Dạt Mây Trôi • Portugal -
Fado menor, Fado Corrido, Fado Hilario, Fado Mouraria, Ceifeira, Malhão Velho ==
Civilization VII==