leitmotiv
/ˈlaɪtmoʊˌtiv/
noun
- A short, recurring musical phrase or theme that represents a particular character, idea, or emotion in a piece of music, especially in opera or film scores.
- The composer used a gentle flute leitmotiv every time the princess appeared on stage.
- In the Star Wars movies, the Imperial March is the leitmotiv for Darth Vader.
- Many film scores rely on a leitmotiv to help the audience connect with the story's main themes.
- A recurring theme, idea, or symbol in a work of literature, art, or other creative work.
- The leitmotiv of light versus darkness runs through the entire novel.
- The author's leitmotiv of lost childhood appears in almost every chapter.
- In the director's films, the color red is a visual leitmotiv for danger.