Motif (music)

[5] It is commonly regarded as the shortest subdivision of a theme or phrase that still maintains its identity as a musical idea.

A motif thematically associated with a person, place, or idea is called a leitmotif or idée fixe.

Arguably Beethoven achieved the highest elaboration of this technique; the famous "fate motif" —the pattern of three short notes followed by one long one—that opens his Fifth Symphony and reappears throughout the work in surprising and refreshing permutations is a classic example.

"[11] Anton Webern defines a motif as, "the smallest independent particle in a musical idea", which are recognizable through their repetition.

[12] Arnold Schoenberg defines a motif as, "a unit which contains one or more features of interval and rhythm [whose] presence is maintained in constant use throughout a piece".

In Beethoven 's Fifth Symphony , a four-note figure becomes the most important motif of the work, extended melodically and harmonically to provide the main theme of the first movement . Play ⓘ
Two note opening motif from Jean Sibelius 's Finlandia . [ 1 ] Play ⓘ
Motif from Machaut 's Mass , notable for its length of seven notes. [ 1 ] Play ⓘ
Motif from Ravel 's String Quartet , first movement. [ 2 ] Play ⓘ
A phrase originally presented as a motif may become a figure which accompanies another melody , as in the second movement of Claude Debussy 's String Quartet (1893). [ 8 ] Play ⓘ White would classify the accompaniment as motivic material since it was, "derived from an important motive stated earlier". [ 9 ]
"Curse" motif from film scores, associated with villains and ominous situations. Play ⓘ