Ten pieces of background music for studying and working
Subject: Arts and humanities | Multidisciplinary
Here is a list of instrumental music to help you face the final stretch of the semester
From soundtracks to pieces of classical music.
The team at the UOC Library offers you a musical playlist to keep you company while you prepare your last projects, or while you are studying or working. A combination of soundtracks, classical pieces and variations to create an atmosphere of concentration and productivity. All the pieces can be found at Academic Video Online, a platform available through the UOC Library that offers thousands of streamed videos, including documentaries, concerts and interviews.
Music recommendations
A reinterpretation of Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons', by the pianist and composer Max Richter. His pieces have appeared in films including 'Shutter Island' and the documentary 'Waltz with Bashir'.
A concert by the Rundfunkorchester in Munich featuring the works of Ennio Morricone, author of numerous iconic film soundtracks. Conducted by the composer himself, you can listen to themes from films including Cinema Paradiso.
In this concert, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra performs the themes from well-known films including Interstellar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Blade Runner and E.T.
A recording of Puccini's opera 'Turandot' at the Teatre Liceu in Barcelona. The opera tells the story of the princess Turandot, who beheaded her suitors if they were unable to solve the three riddles she set them. It includes the famous aria "Nessun dorma" in the third act.
An episode of the French television programme Variations, which brings together electronic music and classical music performers to compose music inspired by various artists.
A recording of a live performance by the jazz musician Miles Davis in 1959. The set begins with "So What".
In 2021, Max Cooper and Uèle Lamore explored the composer Terry Riley's minimalist music at a concert at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
A complete performance of Giacomo Puccini's opera produced by Robert Wilson.
A concert by the pianist Lang Lang, including three sonatas by Mozart and the four Chopin Ballades.
A performance of vocal and instrumental jewels of the Baroque by Elaine Comparone and the Queen's Chamber Band, with the guest soprano Julianne Baird.
Academic Video Online
The key ideas
- What is it? A platform with thousands of streaming videos, such as documentaries, lectures, videos of instructions, concerts, interviews, demonstrations and news from sources including CNN and the BBC.
- What content is available in your studies?
- Performing arts and humanities: plays by the Royal Shakespeare Company, opera recordings, video tutorials on how to improve your photography, and adaptations of classics of English literature such as 'Jane Eyre'.
- In technology, there are programming courses, videos on artificial intelligence (AI), 3D animation and documentaries on the history of science.
- In the social sciences, the content includes current and historical issues on education and psychology.
- Documentaries for working on critical thinking, such as The first wave and Kiss the ground.
- How to access it. Enter its name in the UOC Library search engine, or search for it on the Search the digital collection by field page (type Academic Video Online in the Search by name or keyword field). You must enter your UOC login credentials to gain access.
- How to perform a search. Type your keywords into the search box and use the filters at the top of the platform to refine your results (subject, person, publisher, content type, language, publication date).
- What to do with the videos. Many of the videos are in English, but you can turn on the subtitles and the Spanish transcription. You can also create video clips to share with anyone.
- Demonstration of how to perform a search. A real example of how to perform a step-by-step search on the Academic Video Online platform.
Visit Academic Video Online and find videos to help with your learning.