Das Leitmotiv
Example: Das Leitmotiv zieht sich durch die gesamte Oper und verbindet alle Szenen.
Definition
"Das Leitmotiv" is a recurring musical theme associated with a particular idea, character, or situation in a composition, often used to unify the work and evoke specific emotions or meanings throughout the piece.
Etymology
The term "das Leitmotiv" comes from the German words 'leiten' meaning 'to lead' and 'Motiv' meaning 'motive' or 'theme.' It was popularized in the 19th century, especially through the operas of Richard Wagner, who used it extensively to guide listeners through the narrative.
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"Das Leitmotiv" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 99 commonly used words.
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