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Music Final - Edited

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MORRIS ANUNDA
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39 views

Music Final - Edited

Uploaded by

MORRIS ANUNDA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Music

Student’s Name

Department

Subject

Instructor

Date
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Music

What is a leitmotif?

A leitmotif is a repeating musical idea that is connected to a given idea, person, or

place. Typically, leitmotifs are manipulated to align with the mood and activity of the

intended scene. Common methods used to manipulate leitmotifs include altering the pitch,

altering the instrumentation, adding more materials, and creating fragments of the core idea.

The paper will answer the following questions:

Where did the idea of using leitmotif in film music come from?

Leitmotivs were introduced by Richard Wagner and only used in opera during the

late 19th and 20th centuries. However, John Williams started using leitmotivs and popularized

them in the film industry.

Why is the leitmotif so well suited for film music?

Leitmotivs are suited in film music because they introduce continuity. The use of

musical ideas such as chorus, melody, and chord sequence expands the variety of aesthetics

offered in music. Also, altering aspects like note and pitch are used to evoke certain

emotions or underscore the event happening in the film.

Which functions of music in the film does the use of leitmotifs in film music help to

enhance?

One function served by leitmotifs is to signify that something or someone is present

even though not seen in the current frame. A good example of leitmotif in Vertigo is the

swirling and uniquely disorienting string motif created by Bernard Hermann. The motif

helps to build a mysterious identity of the movie. Also, the Dark Night (2008) uses leitmotif
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in the metallic sound created from two tones. One tone is constant and the other one rises

gradually to produce an eerie melody, which suggests the character has a twisted mindset.

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