The heroes of The Mysterious Cities of Gold in front the Old Peak at sunset

The mysterious cities of gold

New orchestrations of the original soundtrack

Listen to the tracks

A great legacy

Welcome to Le Grand Héritage, a site entirely devoted to the music of the legendary series “The Mysterious Cities of Gold”.

The versions available here are neither the original recordings nor the reorchestrations released in 2002 by Loga-Rythme. The goal remains the same: to reproduce the originals as faithfully as possible (and add new personal reworks, at times).

Once again, certain themes remain “approximate” since they appear very rarely throughout the 39 episodes of the series and are generally covered by dialogue and sound effects.

However, experience and the acquisition of period equipment now make it possible to recapture the very special atmosphere of this sumptuous soundtrack by Shuki Lévy, Haïm Saban et Noam Kaniel.

Yannick Rault

Soon on CD?

The re-orchestration work resumed last year, and the result is so close to the originals that we are seriously considering a new CD release.

Releasing a CD is a completely different job to producing sounds in a little studio, so we aren't giving a date for the moment!

In the meantime, you can still listen to the 'intermediate' versions here, made between 2011 and 2017.

Interested? Leave us your address to be kept informed of what happens next.

Support the project !

It's been (ahem) quite a few years now since this project started... It was in nineteen ninety-something, wasn't it?

We never counted exactly, because it's dizzying, but to give you an idea: back at the start, Yannick posted his creations to his mates on audio cassettes, to hear what they thought, because that was simply the handiest way.

Another clue: the very first tracks were served on this site's ancestor in MP2 format !

Kilotons of hours of work, pricey instruments bought and rewired to speak MIDI, and then a hard-drive crash that forces you to start the whole thing over again, better.

And that's when you realise you completely missed the chance to ride the crowdfunding wave. 🥲

You can see where this is going: if you enjoy this work — whether you're discovering it today, or you're an old-timer who bought the 2002 CDs, or maybe burned your own from the MP2/3s to play in the car — well then... chip in !

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What's new?

New Orchestrations

Select a track
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0:00
0:00
Type
2017
Eighties
Custom 1:59
This piece was recorded on the occasion of an interview for "Eighties the podcast". (See in the news for more info)
2015
The Andes
1:22
Here is a piece that refers to no major theme of the series, rather used for end-of-episode documentaries. Appears for the first time in episode 2.
2014
Papa Camayo's Secret
Custom 1:38
A little personal adaptation of the theme "Farewell, My Father".
Happy Esteban
2:05
A theme from the LP. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Golden Condor
1:47
A variation on the theme "Sailing". Appears for the first time in episode 18.
Toward the Light
Custom 1:19
A mix of a lot of things and stuff...
Providence
Interlude 0:08
A variation on the opening credits. First appears in episode 5.
Brave Esteban
1:15
A variation on the theme "The Adventure of Esteban". Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Try My Best
Custom 3:10
Adaptation of the Japanese opening theme in instrumental version in the spirit of the French original soundtrack.
The Electronic Adventures
2:13
A piece from the LP, partly derived from the piece "Sad Cities of Gold". Appears for the first time in episode 3.
Sad Cities of Gold
1:59
A piece from the LP, later adapted into themes such as "At the Gates of the City" and "Hoisted High". A huge thank you to Gwenaël Longo for the vocals. Appears for the first time in episode 5.
Land Ho!
1:36
A variation on the opening credits. First appears in episode 1.
The Island of Tao
1:01
A variation on the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 11.
2013
Urubus Brutus
Custom 2:10
Uh...
The Gods of the Incas
Custom 3:12
An adaptation of the theme from the LP.
Toward the Old Peak
Custom 1:47
A theme inspired mainly by the piece "St. Elmo’s Fire".
The Daughter of the Inca People
2:00
A variation on "Zia’s Theme", featured on the LP. Appears for the first time in episode 11.
The Son of the Sun
Custom 1:40
A little mix of various themes from the Cities of Gold.
Koyolite
Custom 1:41
A theme inspired by the track "Sad Cities of Gold".
The Emperor of Mu
Custom 2:03
A theme inspired mainly by the track "The Underground Passages".
The Gate of Night
Custom 1:48
A theme inspired by the "Twilight" interlude.
The Spanish March
1:55
War theme that refers to no other theme in the series. Appears for the first time episode 3.
St. Elmo's Fire
1:54
A variation on the theme "The Flight of the Condor". Appears for the first time in episode 2.
Majestic Solaris
1:34
An electronic variation on the theme "The Incas". Appears for the first time in episode 6.
Atlantis
Custom 1:54
A personal theme referencing the mysterious pieces of the series
The Chanteclerc
Special 1:47
A rather special request from Alex Pilot for the final episode of France Five: create a piece in the spirit of the Cities of Gold. I won’t say more — go and (re)watch this final episode on francefive.com, it’s pure bliss!
The Final Glory
Custom 1:21
A theme from the series Ulysse 31, with a touch of Cities of Gold...
A Look to the Sky
0:52
A variation on the opening credits. Thanks to Rémi and Damien for the voices! Appears for the first time in episode 4.
The Lost City
0:54
A variation on the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 9.
The Documentary
Interlude 0:12
The documentary theme. This one refers to none of the series pieces.
Twilight
Interlude 0:15
A variation on the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 9.
Legends of the New World
1:06
A variation on the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 8.
The War of the Worlds
Custom 3:24
Small compilation based on the work of Jeff Wayne "The War of the Worlds", one of the sources of inspiration for Shuki Levy in composing the soundtrack to The Mysterious Cities of Gold.
Zia's Tears
1:07
A variation on "Zia’s Theme". First appears in episode 11.
Terra Nova
Custom 1:00
A personal theme built around the Cities of Gold.
The Pride of the Incas
Interlude 0:11
A relatively rare interlude (only 2 appearances), a variation of the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 15.
Messenger of the Gods
1:47
A variation on the opening credits. A HUGE thank you to Damien Tremollet and Pascale Korchia for the vocals. Appears for the first time in episode 3.
The Supochutl
Special 2:51
A little joke for the birthday of a great clown.
2012
The New Continent
Custom 1:31
A small spin-off of several themes from the series.
Tseila's Secret
Custom 1:19
A piece based on the theme "The Esperanza Adrift".
Victory
Interlude 0:36
A relatively rare interlude, a variation of the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 9.
Esteban's Dream
1:13
Once again a superb theme variation of the opening credits. Appears for the first time episode 2.
Mystery Interlude
Interlude 0:09
A brief interlude, which makes no reference to any theme of the series. Appears for the first and only time in episode 31.
Reminiscences
1:01
Beautiful theme, derived from the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 6.
Mystery Interlude 2
Interlude 0:17
This interlude refers to the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 3.
The Sun Has Just Risen
Special 0:39
The Iguana Is Like Chicken
Special 0:39
Because Americans have oil and twisted plot ideas.
Koiktuveux d'aut
Special 1:51
Because you need beautiful Andean landscapes to sell coffee, freeze-dried though it may be...
Mayas, Your Merciless Universe
Special 1:13
Because we have never sold polyphosphate ham as well.
Sailing
1:35
Sailing, a theme from the LP of the time. A variation on the piece "The Golden Condor". Appears for the first time in episode 2.
2011
The Great Legacy
1:52
The Great Legacy, a totally chaotic theme, mainly used for disaster scenes. It refers to no other piece in the series. Appears for the first time in episode 3.
Tseila V2
Custom 1:04
Small composition around Citedorian soundscapes... but a bit less this time.
Tseila
Custom 1:00
Small composition around Citedorian soundscapes...
The Wrath of Pachamama
1:48
Grandiose theme; one of the most used for disaster scenes, The Wrath of Pachamama however refers to no other piece in the series. Appears for the first time episode 2.
Mischief
Interlude 0:13
A comedic interlude that reprises the theme of the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Awakening
Interlude 0:21
An interlude that does not seem to refer to any other piece in the series. Appears for the first time episode 5.
Perilous Flight
1:26
A theme that seems to refer to no other piece of the series. Appears for the first time episode 3.
The Revelation
1:04
A relatively rare theme (only 3 appearances) whose true ending we will never know. This theme is inspired by the piece titled "The Adventure of Esteban." Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Sancho & Pedro
Interlude 0:09
A very short little interlude. Used most of the time for Sancho and Pedro's jokes. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Respite
Interlude 0:17
A very short interlude. Appears for the first time in episode 3.
Introduction
0:50
The introduction to the opening credits. Inspired by Maurice Ravel’s work "The Child and the Spells".
The Esperanza Adrift
1:49
A very beautiful theme that does not seem to refer to any other title in the series. Appears for the first time in episode 2 documentary.
The Storm
1:28
A dark theme, used for scenes of great danger. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Recap
0:56
A spin-off of the theme "Happy Esteban", which will become the summary theme (except for rare exceptions) from episode 3 onwards.
Hoisted High
0:53
An electronic version of the second part of the theme "Sad Cities of Gold". Appears for the first time in episode 2.
Mysterious Apparition
Interlude 0:18
A short interlude that refers to no theme of the series. Appears for the first time in episode 5.
Betrayal
Interlude 0:17
An rarely used interlude in the series that refers to no theme of the series. Appears for the first time episode 7.
The San Miguel
1:03
A theme evocative of battle. Appears for the first time in episode 8.
The Assault of the Amazons
Interlude 0:12
A short interlude that partly reprises the theme "The Adventure of Esteban". Appears for the first and only time in episode 21.
The Medallions
Interlude 0:10
A short interlude inspired by "Zia’s Theme". Appears for the first and only time in episode 2.
The Flight of the Condor (Long Version)
Custom 2:44
A longer version of the theme "The Flight of the Condor" with a little nod to the piece "The Esperanza Adrift".
The Empire of Mu
1:30
A very beautiful theme that borrows the melody of "Tao’s Theme". Appears for the first time in episode 9.
Vertigo
0:18
A short interlude that reprises the theme of the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Cradle of Light
0:47
This rarely used theme reprises the "Sailing" theme. Appears for the first time in episode 27.
Sunrise
Interlude 0:21
This very beautiful interlude is used as soon as Esteban calls upon (voluntarily or not) the sun. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The New World
1:40
A theme that mainly reprises the series’ opening credits but also the piece titled "The Chase". Appears for the first time in episode 5.
Melancholy
Interlude 0:22
This interlude is part of the rarely used themes in the series. Appears for the first time episode 31.
The Underground Passages
1:52
Often used for suspense sequences, this title seems to refer to no other theme of the series. Appears for the first time in episode 4.
Unease
Interlude 0:25
An often borrowed interlude for the "Spanish" scenes. This one refers to no other theme of the series. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Valley of Death
Custom 1:31
A more personal variation on several themes, mainly "The Storm" but also "Anguish", all arranged in the spirit of the series’ dark themes.
Anguish
Interlude 0:16
A short interlude for small, uneasy transitions. Appears for the first time in episode 3.
The Feathered Serpent
2:17
The electronic version of the theme "The Gods of the Incas", available at the time on the LP. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Imminent Danger
Interlude 0:23
An interlude that seems dedicated to Captain Gaspard... similar to the "Menace" interlude. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Land of the Maya
1:01
A fairly melancholic theme that also borrows the melody of the series' opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 4.
Menace
Interlude 0:18
A similar interlude to another interlude "Danger imminent". Appears for the first time in episode 4.
The Road to the Old Peak
Custom 1:22
A personal adaptation of the theme "Esteban in the city". The idea was to make a more acoustic version in the vein of some other themes from the series.
The Silence of the Ocean
1:18
A very minimalist theme often used for underwater scenes. This one does not refer to any other theme in the series. Appears first in episode 4.
The Harbor Festival
1:27
A theme for very little exploited "comic" moments in the series. Appears for the first time episode 1.
The Children of the Sun
1:11
A theme often used at the end of an episode. This one is partly a reference to the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Galleon in Sight
0:59
A military-themed motif often used for scenes of conflict with the Spanish. Appears first in episode 4.
After the Storm
Interlude 0:20
An interlude used for suspense sequences; it reprises the first part of the theme "Esteban’s Dream". Appears for the first time in episode 1.
The Spaniards
0:54
Another military-style theme. The second part partially reprises the end of the theme "The Infernal Pursuit". Appears for the first time in episode 6.
The Chase
1:09
A comedic theme often linked to the antics of the duo Sancho and Pedro. It mainly reprises the series' opening credits, as well as the piece titled "The New World". Appears for the first time in episode 1.
Esteban on the Run
1:25
An acoustic rendition of the themes "Happy Esteban" and "The Adventure of Esteban". A big thank you to David Colin for the guitar recordings in this piece. Appears for the first time in episode 1.
At the Gates of the City
1:45
A theme very often used for major discoveries. It partly reprises the opening credits. Appears for the first time in episode 5.

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