How to Transform a Leitmotif

Original upload date: June 2, 2017

It's not the size that counts, but how you use it.

When I first went out to try and find a definition for "leitmotif" I stumbled upon the Wikipedia entry for "leitmotif" and found a reference to Erich Wolfgang Korngold and his score to "The Adventures of Robin Hood."
And when I looked up the leitmotifs to the adventures of robin hood, I stumbled across this blog post by Mark Richards:

After reading the post, I was so enthralled by the potential for a film score not only have developed leitmotifs, but to actually have leitmotifs that transformed, that I went out and immediately bought the film. And since watching and listening to it a dozen or so times, it might just be my favorite film score of all time.

So a sincere thank you to Mr. Richards and whoever edited the Wikipedia entry for "Leitmotif" for introducing me to The Adventures of Robin Hood!

Also, if you want to know more about the usage of leitmotif in this film, then check out:
"Singing the king: A retrospective prolepsis in The Adventure of Robin Hood" in "Music and Levels of Narration in Film" by Guido Heldt

Also, if you just so happen to be interested in more of the details in this film (like myself) there's a whole book about it here!

And if you're interested in a more detailed breakdown of Shovel Knight's soundtrack, then I'd strongly suggest checking out 8-bit's video on it here:

Also, it looks like I missed the cave level in Super Mario World as well.
My Bad.

[degrassi]

How sick would it be to have a fighting game where each character has a theme and when they fight it combines the themes
it'd be dope

[Zirkalaritz]

Sideways, the guy that will make you choose the composer branch instead of the rockstar branch in the musical career of The Sims.

[foxtrot.uniform.charlie.ki]

"You can kinda think of him like the Qui Gon Jin of the Nazi party" - I can't even wrap my head around that statement

[metztli.dawnoftheflyingsil]

One day I was lying in bed, wondering what my leitmotif would sound like if I had one: how it would represent me, developing as I grow and change. Then I realized that I do have one: a song I composed at around age 11 and have been changing and developing ever since to fit my current emotional state. The first version was happy, and the following versions become more and more unhappy. As I am doing a bit better now than I was when I wrote my last version I shall have to re-write it again to reflect that

[valq]

For those who missed it: "sumer is icumen in" is Middle English for "summer is a-coming in" - and it's a masterpiece, everyone who likes folk music should listen, and you will LOVE

[NotRightMusic]

My favorite thing about Sideways, besides the amazing content, is that the titles give little hint in what to expect! It's like anti-clickbait or something.

[WaffleCat]

"On March 12th, 1938, the Anschluss took place…"

From a music theory channel, I didn't expect the Nazi inquisition at the very start of this video.

[jpmmm]

5:12 Come On!!! Spoilers man!!! You just ruined a nearly 3 century old 20 hours long piece that I was totally going to see.

[saulothebebop]

Finding your channel is like finding water in the desert, so refreshing and uplifting

[Bonko]

The Adventures of Robin Hood was one of my favorite films when I was a small kid. My dad recorded it for me on a VHS tape in the early 80's and that music definitely stuck with me. Kids don't just want simple music, I know that much.

[cheezemonkeyeater]

I think my favorite Leitmotif is the one from Pink Floyd's "The Wall."


People sometimes think I'm a music nerd because I say that sometimes, but all I can think is, "Oh, boy do I wish I knew enough about music to be a music nerd. I'd appreciate music so much more if I did . . ."

[Desbarbado]

Can I open my eyes now? Or should I keep them closed??

[knightoftheson]

Hey,
I've been watching your videos for a few months and I've really enjoyed your stuff. I've only recently realized something though.
You have changed how I watch [or more accurately, listen to] movies. I just saw Blade Runner 2049 for the second time last week and I was able to focus on the score and musical motifs on the second viewing. It brought the plot/story into a brand new light. I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed it without your insights and videos.

You have immeasurably enhanced how I enjoy film.
Thanks for what you do.

[pattongilbert]

Can I just say that Shovel Knight is a truly incredible game and has one of the best soundtracks ever?

[decameter]

Halo had a lot of great musical moments and themes that connect together. I was super hyped to hear the Covenant Dance drums reappear in later pieces, and the theme itself punctuates the whole soundtrack. I think it was really well done! It's why I revisit the soundtrack so often, listening to it I can hear and feel the moments of the story again.

[charlieskywalker]

How does this channel not have more subscribers?? This is amazing! Keep up the good work!

[Infinitis]

I’ve watched this film a ton of times when I was a kid. The Merrymen’s theme is the most memorable and I’m glad it’s connected to one of the oldest secular songs. So cool!

[ShevkoMore]

14:40
Oh! That's also true for Baba Is You soundtrack!

The opposite example (repeated battle music) I found in Slay The Spire. But they had a great idea of distorting the soundtrack for Mind Bloom event. Also, the Corrupted Heart gets its own motif, so the repetition may be a way of symbolizing a roguelike - based story element...

[facelessmiasma]

I feel like no matter how much time passes, these videos don’t age; they just have this beautiful timeless to them. So wonderful just to listen and absorb all the information- this is truly a comfort channel.☺️❤

[sarahtaylor]

Sadness and Sorrow gets played a lot across the Naruto franchise and I'm not going to say it is always successful. However, the clip you showed is my favorite replay of it in the original series. We first hear it during some flashbacks of Naruto's childhood describing him as the lonely outcast. The scene in your video was of Iruka protecting him from a man Naruto thought was a friend and allay, but was really just a manipulator. This is where Iruka apologizes for how he treated Naruto in the past and promises to be there for him in the future. This moment is the first step in their relationship transforming into the brotherly, then fatherly, relationship we all loved by the end of Shippuden. The song is a beautiful contrast to what is going on in the actual scene. Why? It plays while Naruto is struggling with his own insecurities, the betrayal, 10 years of baggage, and deciding whether or not he should trust Iruka. It plays as Naruto remembers the pain of the past, then lets it go because he now knows he is unconditionally loved. This should be a textbook example of when to reuse a piece of music without changing it.