Topic Six (1.6): Leitmotifs

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

This topic introduces the key features of film music and musicals of the leitmotif. A leitmotif is a recurring musical theme that symbolises a place, person, object or idea and is used when this appears on screen. The musical theme suggests to the audience how the director and producer wants them to feel about the person, object, etc.

Quiz Icon.png Instructions

Begin by watching the short video explaining the history, purpose and examples of a leitmotif. 

WATCH – Understanding the Leitmotif (YouTube) Links to an external site.

Now listen to the leitmotif from the film Pride and Prejudice. This is a film based on the novel by Jane Austen, also called Pride and Prejudice. The musical theme you will hear is called ‘dawn’ and conveys this time of day perfectly. 

Consider how the composer, Jean Yves-Thibaudet, evokes the feel of the day dawning, and conveys the setting and characters. Create a one- or two-paragraph explanation that explores the use of dynamics, melody, rhythm and tempo. 

WATCH – Pride and Prejudice (YouTube) Links to an external site.

This leitmotif recurs in the film, each time the lead character, Elizabeth, is present in the scene.

Review Icon.png Review

  • Have you listened to the leitmotif example and made notes of what you hear in terms of the use of melody, dynamics, etc. 
  • Have you then expanded on these notes to create a written analysis of how you feel the composer has created this leitmotif to reflect the dawn?
  • Use the suggested answers and see if you had some similar ideas.

LISTEN – Suggested answers – Topic 6 Leitmotif task.

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

You need to create a scene or character for a given piece of music, using it as a leitmotif. Draw, paint or describe in words your scene, character, object or idea (e.g. truth).

The piece of music is Comptine d'un autre été, l'après midi (which translates to the ‘rhyme of another summer’s afternoon), and is the musical theme for the 2001 film, Amélie.

WATCH – Comptine d'un autre été, l'après midi (YouTube) Links to an external site.

What theme does the piece of music evoke for you? 

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

Elizabeth is always present in the scene when the ‘dawn’ theme is used. Suggest what the leitmotif suggests about her personality? Add your analysis to the other two paragraphs you have already written.