Check Out this Analysis of the Leitmotifs In Breath Of The Wild’s Music
Posted on August 29 2020 by Alexandria Weber
Popularized in the 19th century, the leitmotif is an element in music that has its earliest associations with opera composer Richard Wagner and has carried through to music today. It is when melodies recur in music in order to call back to a certain character, theme, or place within the story and offers a wholistic version of storytelling that is often used in movies and TV shows. For instance, Star Wars repeats and reuses variations of “Force Theme” when a character is using or thinking of the energy called the force. Leitmotifs provide an auditory callback that triggers the mind into hearing not only a familiar tune associated with prior similar instances but also feeling the same emotions associated with it.
In a recent video, YouTuber Xalem has analyzed the leitmotifs in Breath of the Wild, as well as comparing the soundtrack to prior Zelda games. The Zelda franchise has made use of leitmotifs ever since the first title, the series having specific environments and character-driven moments that are backed by music, and even occasions where music prompts the narrative such as in Ocarina of Time or Spirit Tracks. The video looks at the relaxing and subtle piano of Breath of the Wild, and how it has replaced prior sweeping orchestral overworld themes of past Zelda games in order to reassure the player that freedom and choice in gameplay can be done in their own pace and time. The disjointed piano also reinforces the amnesia of the protagonist and the post-apocalyptic world he has entered. It isn’t until bigger moments like Divine Beasts or memories that driving, pulsing melodies grace our ears and motivate what we feel and want from the game, inserting a clear objective.
Leitmotifs are present in both the subtle piano and bigger orchestral tracks, some songs of past games slowed down to match the calm of ruined Hyrule with the reminiscence of familiarity. The video remarks in particular the return of “Temple of Time” from Ocarina of Time and “Princess Zelda’s Rescue” from A Link to the Past, as well as the use of leitmotifs to denote danger. The video goes on to analyze the Champions’ musical themes as a method for characterization, as well as the use of music to support the character journey of Princess Zelda.
What do you think about this leitmotif analysis? And what is your favorite song in Breath of the Wild? Is there a song from an older game you would like to see return for Breath of the Wild 2? Let us know in the comments below!
Alexandria Weber is a Senior Editor and an aspiring creative writer. Her favorite food is apple pie and she loves her cat Galadriel. Ask her for pictures!
