Dictionary Ushakov

keynote

keynote in, keynote, husband. (German Leitmotiv, letters. guiding motive) ( books.).

1. Harmonic or melodic turnover, constant sound image (mainly in opera), use composer to characterize some hero or some experience, stage position and repeating every time the hero appears or when this provision during action ( music). Leitmotifs in Rimsky-Korsakov's operas.

2. trans. The main idea, the leading beginning, the main tone. Keynote of the book. Keynote of the discussion.

Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language

keynote

German - Leit (leader), Motiv (motive).

The word appeared in Russian in the 19th century. in a literal sense.

The word originates from German language. It is a neoplasm consisting of two words.

Terminological dictionary-thesaurus on literary criticism

keynote

(from German leitmotiv - leading motive) - a recurring element of the work, the bearer of its main idea.

RB: composition and plot

Genus: motif

Ass: idea, repetition

* "In a literary work, elements of particular importance can be repeated many times. By similarity to musical ones, such repetitions, which act as carriers of the main ideas of the work, are usually called leitmotifs" ( encyclopedic Dictionary young literary critic). *

Glossary of musical terms

keynote

(German Leitmotiw - leading motive) - musical theme, associated with a certain image, idea, phenomenon, repeatedly repeated in an opera, ballet, symphony, etc. and characterizing a certain person or an abstract concept. The leitmotif was especially widely used by N. Rimsky-Korsakov, G. Verdi, R. Wagner, G. Berlioz, P. Tchaikovsky, S. Prokofiev, D. Shostakovich and others.

encyclopedic Dictionary

keynote

(German leitmotiv, lit. - leading motive), a musical turn, repeated in piece of music as a characteristic or symbol character, object, phenomenon, idea, emotion. Used with con. 18th century in opera, from the 19th century. - in ballet and program instrumental music. R. Wagner used a complex system of leitmotifs in his operas. Term "keynote" has a wider meaning: as a definition of the dominant principle in human activity, in the chain of events.

Ozhegov's dictionary

LEITMOTH AND IN, A, m.

1. The main motif that is repeated in a piece of music.

2. trans. Recurring in some the main idea of ​​the work.

keynote

keynote

LEITMOTIV (German: Leitmotiv - “leading motive”) is a term introduced into music theory by Richard Wagner (see) and sometimes used in literary criticism, mainly by representatives of psychological and formal trends. The meaning of the term "leitmotif" in literary criticism is extremely vague and indefinite. The term "L." it is used, firstly, to designate the dominant (see), the work or even the work of the writer as a whole: in this sense, one can say, for example: “The idea of ​​​​the unjustified and inexorable evil of the world order passes L. through all the work of A. de Vigny”; or: "The pessimistic and the one who is worse wins, becomes the L. of the whole Romanzero Heine." The term "L." is used, secondly, to designate a group of thematic elements or means of expression, permanent, "canonical" for a particular genre and style; in this meaning, for example. about abduction, attack by sea robbers, separation of lovers, their wanderings and final connection, loss of children and recognition by their parents as L. Greek novel or about a gloomy dull landscape - a cemetery, ruins, a conflagration - as one of the L. English "cemetery poetry" of the 18th century. Finally, the term "L." that complex of thematic and expressive means is indicated, which is constantly repeated throughout a given artistic whole - literary work; in this usage the term "L." approaching its original musical meaning. So, german romantics in their search for syncretic art, they willingly introduce prose work row lyric poems, thematically unrelated to it, but forming the emotional lyricism of the entire work (a lyrical insert by Eichendorff and others). The rhetorical pathos of Hugo's novels is also reflected in the introduction and choice of symbolic L., in the clarity of its ideological significance, often approaching allegory (L. towers and guillotines in "93"). In realistic novel XIX V. meets so-called. portrait L. (cf. L. by Dickens and L. Tolstoy), thanks to Krom, the corresponding details become integral parts of the image (the upturned sponge of Princess Bolkonskaya with a mustache, the radiant eyes and heavy feet of Princess Marya, the iron hook and the hard wired hat of Captain Kuttle , the grin of Mr. Carker's teeth, etc.).
As is clear from the above examples, which can be infinitely multiplied, the main drawback of the concept of "L." How literary category- in addition to its vagueness and uncertainty - is its metaphysical; the introduction of the concept of "L." suggests an essentially idealistic and formalistic conception of a literary work as a self-sufficient structure, to be described in its parts by methods and terms borrowed from other areas of art (the principle of mutual illumination of the arts, which separates art from its public base). For Marxist literary criticism, which studies concrete historical class art in all the diversity of its aspects, contradictions, and leading tendencies, the category of leitmotif as a formalistic category is unsuitable, and the term "leitmotif" can only be used in the sense of a conventional designation of the leading trend, etc. (see Motive ).

Literary Encyclopedia. - In 11 tons; M .: publishing house of the Communist Academy, Soviet Encyclopedia, Fiction. Edited by V. M. Friche, A. V. Lunacharsky. 1929-1939 .

Leitmotif

(German Leitmotiv - leading motive), regularly reproduced in a separate composition, in a cycle of works or in the work of the author semantic motive. A repeating element of the structure of the work can be represented by a detail - a speech one (“Not bad ...” in Turkin’s speech from the story of A.P. Chekhov“Ionych”), portrait (“golden” details in the portraits of rich characters in “The Gentleman from San Francisco” by I. A. Bunin) or landscape (azure sky and clouds in the lyrics of M. Yu. Lermontov). The leitmotif in various works of one author can be a standard plot twist for him (a rendezvous and duel in the prose of I.S. Turgenev), a special point of view of the narrator in its "spatial" expression ("above-world" angle of view lyrical hero in some poems by V.V. Mayakovsky), a typical plot function of a character (“demonic” figures in novels and short stories by M.A. Bulgakov). Any semantic motive can undergo a change in those cases when it is reproduced by the author in combination with new motives.

Literature and language. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Under the editorship of prof. Gorkina A.P. 2006 .

See what "Leitmotif" is in other dictionaries:

Keynote... Spelling Dictionary

- (German). 1) music. The guiding motive in the orchestra, in the opera, which serves to characterize famous person or mood and constantly accompanying it. 2) guiding thought. Dictionary foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

keynote- Leitmotiv, this word borrowed from the German language (leitmotiv) means (in figuratively) the main idea of ​​the work, the idea that the author repeatedly repeats and emphasizes. We also emphasize: the main idea is called the leitmotif! But… … Dictionary of Russian language mistakes

LEITMOTIV, leitmotif, husband. (German Leitmotiv, lit. guiding motive) (book). 1. Harmonic or melodic turnover, constant sound image (mainly in opera), use. composer to characterize some hero or some ... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

Idea, thought, theme, motive, main motive Dictionary of Russian synonyms. leitmotif main motive Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova. 2011 ... Synonym dictionary

- (German leitmotiv letters. Leading motive), a musical turnover that is repeated in a piece of music as a characteristic or symbol of a character, object, phenomenon, idea, emotion. Used with con. 18th century in opera, from the 19th century. in ballet... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Keynote, a, husband. 1. The main motive that is repeated in a piece of music. 2. trans. Recurring in what the main idea of ​​the work. 3. trans. The main idea, what goes through what n. red thread. L. speeches report. |… … Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

keynote- (German Leitmotiv, literally a leading motive), a musical turnover that is repeated in a piece of music as a characteristic or symbol of a character, object, phenomenon, idea, emotion. Used since the end of the 18th century. in the opera, from the 19th century ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

keynote- a, m. 1) A musical turnover, the main motive, repeated in a piece of music as a characteristic or symbol of a character, object, phenomenon, idea, emotion. Opera theme. 2) trans. The main position, repeatedly ... ... Popular dictionary of the Russian language

- (German Leitmotiv, lit. leading motive) relatively short music. turnover (b. h. melody, sometimes a melody with harmonization, entrusted certain instrument and so on.; in some cases otd. harmony or sequence of harmonies, rhythmic ... ... Music Encyclopedia

Books

• History of Catherine II. Part One (The Path to the Throne). Part Two (Internal Troubles), Alexander Gustavovich Brikner. keynote historical writings Professor of Dorpat University A. Brikner, the process of Europeanization of Russia, the penetration of Western European concepts and interests into it. This approach is…

In art theory, many terms intersect. They are used to refer to different or similar concepts. Let's figure out what the meaning of the word leitmotif is. This is an ambiguous term that is used in different types of art to characterize certain aspects, for example, a leitmotif in music. This is usually called the periodic repetition of the same expressive fragment throughout the entire work.

This technique was introduced into musical theory by Richard Wagner. Without using the term, he used musical element: repetition of fragments of sounds in his operas in order to create the integrity of the work, to strengthen semantic load melodies and emotional impact on listeners.

It was this term that G. Wolzogen used when describing the work of Wagner. The so-called element of a musical work, which is repeated at equal intervals of time. This is a detail that, through repeated repetition, sets the overall tone, the idea of ​​the whole melody.

But musical theory even earlier attempts to use the principle of repetition are known: in 1607, Monteverdi used a similar technique in Orpheus, but at that time he could not gain a foothold due to cultural and historical features development of musical art.

The term later spread to other art forms:

• theater
• literature,
• choreography,
• architecture,
• painting.

It began to be actively used in Everyday life, denoting with its help the main idea, cyclically recurring events, phenomena in human life and different aspects his activities.

Functions

The leitmotif performs the following functions:

• expressive and semantic: it helps to emphasize the important ideological and thematic aspects of the work, to focus on the details;
• constructive: unites the work thematically, creates the unity of the text or melody

These functions are characteristic of the leitmotif both in music and in literature.

In prose and poetry

IN works of art The leitmotif is an important compositional element of the text.

It is expressed through:

• a detail that is repeated throughout the story;
• artistic image, which is the main one through which the theme and idea of ​​the text are revealed;
• through intonation (this applies to poetic texts);
• description of the experiences of the characters, their thoughts.

Keynote in music

It can be seen that such a concept in literary works is modified, transformed. In voluminous texts, several leitmotifs can intertwine and complement each other.

Ch. Baudelaire and S. Mallarme were the first to use musical techniques in literature. They used not only lexical meanings different words, but also their stylistic possibilities for enhancing the semantic impact of texts on readers.

Interesting! It is important to distinguish between the concepts of "theme" and "leitmotif": in the theory of literature one can find a mixture of these terms.

The topic is what is outside the text. The leitmotif is what the theme is embodied in, it is a structural component of the composition, sets the general emotional tone of a literary work, embodies its main idea.

An example of a leitmotif in literature is the sound of a broken string in P. Chekhov's work " The Cherry Orchard". It can be a word or phrase that is constantly repeated. For example, in the poem "My genealogy" there are lines: "Noise, noise, obedient sail ...". In Proust's In Search of Lost Time, a recurring detail is the Madeleine cookie, which the author constantly recalls: this image symbolizes childhood, lost time, days that remain in memory.

Note! Poetry, as the closest kind of literature to music, is most closely intertwined with the concept of leitmotif.

IN poetic texts distinguish the following types:

• intonational - repetition of intonational elements: questions, rhetorical exclamations, appeals;
• sound - the repetition of the same sounds, sound combinations. It is realized through the use of rhyme, stylistic figures: anaphora,;
• lexical - the repetition of the same words or word forms with a similar sound.

Leitmotifs in poems are manifested not only at the level of content, but also at the level of form, which is especially clearly observed in classical poetry.

What is a leitmotif image: let's give examples from the texts. This is the image that is the key that runs through the whole narrative through various details and elements of the text. For example, in Ch. Dickens' novel " Big hopes» it is possible to single out the leitmotif image of hope as the main idea. This image from the first pages becomes an integral part of the protagonist, accompanies him throughout the development of the plot and at the moment of climax is revealed to the maximum: collapsed hopes are the key point in the development of the leitmotif.

IN " American tragedy» T. Dreiser one of the leitmotif images is the image of Roberta, who goes from beloved to victim, and through her the facets of the character of another are revealed important character- Clyde. Her image serves as a litmus test for describing the protagonist's decency; in his attitude towards her, he reveals his aspirations and dreams. The leitmotif of her image in this case lies in the fact that she becomes a through element of the composition: the influence of the heroine on the course of the narrative remains even after her death. Thus, the main criterion of the leitmotif is preserved - repetition.

Useful video: keynote

Transferring meaning to other areas

In Ozhegov's dictionary this concept also referred to as something that "passes like a red thread through something." This value helped musical term become part of people's daily lives. They call the main idea different types human activity.

For example, this concept is actively used in design, defining the leitmotif of photography, interior or wedding. In choreography, it is used to indicate the main idea of ​​the dance, and in in social networks you can even come across this word as a title for the main concept of a blog or information resource.

This means that the essence of the concept expands significantly over time and it is quite acceptable to use it where the main idea or topic should be highlighted.

keynote

LEITMOTIV, -a, m.

1. The main motif that is repeated in a piece of music.

2. trans. Recurring in some the main idea of ​​the work.

3. trans. The main idea, what goes through sth. red thread. L. speeches report.

| adj. ~ny, -th, -th (to 1 value).

What's happened keynote, keynote this is the meaning of the word keynote, origin (etymology) keynote, synonyms for keynote, paradigm (word forms) keynote in other dictionaries

Paradigm, word forms keynote- Full accentuated paradigm according to A. A. Zaliznyak

paradigm, forms of the word LEITMOTIV

keynote

l e theme,

l e motives,

l e theme,

l e motives,

l e motive,

l e motives,

l e theme,

l e motives,

l e motive,

l e motives,

l e theme,

l e ytmotivakh

+ keynote- T.F. Efremova New dictionary Russian language. Explanatory- derivational

what is keynote

keynote

keynote And V

1) A musical turnover that is repeated in a piece of music as a characteristic or symbol of a character, object, phenomenon, etc.

2) trans. The main position, the leading thought, repeatedly repeated, emphasized.

+ keynote- Modern Dictionary ed. "Big Soviet Encyclopedia»

what is keynote

keynote

(German leitmotiv, lit. - leading motive), a musical turnover that is repeated in a piece of music as a characteristic or symbol of a character, object, phenomenon, idea, emotion. Used with con. 18th century in opera, from the 19th century. - in ballet and program instrumental music. R. Wagner used a complex system of leitmotifs in his operas. The term "leitmotif" has a broader meaning: as the definition of the dominant principle in human activity, in the chain of events.

+ keynote- Dictionary of foreign words

what is keynote

keynote

1. The main motive, the main theme, repeated throughout the entire piece of music.

2. trans. The main idea of ​​a literary work, which determines the motive of activity, behavior, etc. L. novel. L. speeches of the president. Leitmotif - related to the leitmotif, leitmotifs.

+ keynote- Small academic dictionary of the Russian language

The theme song is a term proposed in the late 1870s by the German musicologist G.P. von Wolzogen to characterize the orchestral polyphony of R. Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung; subsequently began to be used in literary criticism. In symphonic, instrumental music and opera, the leitmotif is relatively short construction, characterizing character, phenomenon, emotion or abstract concept. The leitmotif technique in music was already used by A. Gretry, W.A. Mozart, L. Cherubini, but the leitmotif was widely used in the 19th century. First of all, this refers to the musical dramas of R. Wagner, who is considered the founder of the leitmotif system. Like many romantics, Wagner was excited by the idea of ​​a "synthesis of the arts", which he interpreted like the unity of word and music in ancient tragedy. opera reform Wagner, conceived as the embodiment of this idea, required a special structure musical fabric. Separate opera numbers were replaced by a continuous flow of music, built on the alternation of contrasting "plastic motifs" - the characteristics of "nature and human natures". According to Wagner, these motives are “each in the course of his individual development- must take shape in the carriers of passionate aspirations, directing a diversely branched action, and characters expressing themselves in this action ”(Wagner R. Articles and materials).

Leitmotif in literary criticism

In literary criticism, the leitmotif is one of the main structural elements of the text.: a repetitive detail, figurative turnover, intonation (leitinttonation), arising as a way of characterizing a character, position, experience. The leitmotif can vary, change, several leitmotifs contrast each other, intertwine, flow one into another, forming a system. The way in which the system of leitmotifs is applied by a particular writer or school, genre should be defined as a leitmotif technique. The use of leitmotiv technique in the novel genre is usually associated with the works of L. Tolstoy, C. Dickens, G. Flaubert, French naturalists, and especially novelists of the 20th century. (A. Bely, T. Mann, J. Joyce, F. Kafka, T. Wolfe), where the problem of "synthesis of arts" was replaced by the problem of the analogy of literature with music. First porting attempts musical techniques to the region literary creativity were undertaken by the French Symbolists (C. Baudelaire, S. Mallarme). They sought, “not content with the “dictionary”, purely “rational” meaning of lexical units ... to reveal their full potential and thereby maximize the semantic impact of the poem” (Kosikov G. Two ways of French post-romanticism ... Poetry of French symbolism.). Hence their interest in modern achievements in music, in particular, in the Wagnerian musical drama. In Russian literature, an example of a symbolist work based on a system of leitmotifs is A. Bely's "Symphony" (1902-08). The leitmotif can be formed in replicas actors, be introduced stage means(the sound of a broken string in The Cherry Orchard, 1904, A.P. Chekhov).

stage interpretation dramatic work allows you to emphasize or reduce the role of the leitmotif. Comparing the leitmotif technique of "Transformation" (1916), "In Search of Lost Time" (1913-27) and "Ulysses" (1922), V. Nabokov comes to the conclusion that it is present in Kafka and Proust along with other techniques, while the entire text of Joyce is “a pattern of recurring themes” (Nabokov V.V. Lectures on foreign literature). The ways in which the leitmotif technique is applied are manifold; already in ancient epic poetry you can find a repetition of a static leitmotif. At the same time, it not only serves as a “reminder”, but, according to the concept of the “epic formula” of M. Perry - A. Lord, is one of the main compositional elements of the epic poem. However, outside of epic poetry, the technique of repeating static leitmotifs, helping to compare each given event with events earlier or later, does not endow this event with an additional, symbolic meaning. The repetition of static leitmotifs can also be used to stylize or parody an epic narrative. The leitmotif can become a truly structural factor in the narrative in the process of variation, when it is repeatedly reproduced in different situations, applied to different characters, each time receiving a new emotional coloring (for example, the image of the starry sky in the finale of each of the chapters of T. Wilder's novel "The Bridge of King Louis Saint", 1927). As a result, the leitmotif acquires associations, becomes not just a visible display of the theme, but also a symbol. In its symbolic quality, the leitmotif is capable of acquiring a certain independence from the theme. The terms "" and leitmotif are often confused. The theme of a literary work is outside the text and is embodied in the leitmotif, which is a direct structural element of the text. The leitmotif system of the work provides a figurative embodiment of themes and problems in the text.

In a broader sense, the leitmotif is the main idea, idea, emotional tone of a literary work or creativity of a given author.

The word leitmotif comes from German Leitmotiv, which means - the leading motive.