A recurring thematic element, pattern, or idea in artistic works, whether musical, literary, or visual. In music, it's a short melodic or rhythmic idea that returns throughout a composition, often developed and transformed.
From French 'motif' meaning motive or theme, derived from Latin 'motivus' meaning causing motion. The term entered artistic vocabulary in the 19th century, describing recurring elements that provide structural unity and meaning to artistic works.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony opens with perhaps the most famous motif in classical music—those four notes (da-da-da-DUM) appear in nearly every movement, transformed and developed like a musical character that grows throughout the story! Wagner used motifs so systematically in his operas that each character and concept had its own musical signature.
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