Synthesis of Istrian Scales and Hungarian Minor Scales in the Leitmotif Development Based on the Jade Vine’s Character

Abstract

This study explores the representation of the character Jade Vine as an extramusical element in the creation of a narrative program music piece using leitmotifs. Traditional Central European scales, such as the Istrian and Hungarian Minor scales, were selected based on the character of Jade Vine and the narrative setting of the novella “Jade Vine 1st Life: A Man with the Crown” by Mochio. The research process was conducted to determine how the synthesis of the Istrian and Hungarian Minor scales could represent the character of Jade Vine through the construction and transformation of leitmotifs. The research method employed was a qualitative approach using a case study with an exploratory objective, utilizing technical analysis of the characteristics of Central European scales, as well as pitch-set synthesis experimentation. A contrapuntal approach was also consistently applied to manage the complexity of the polymodal texture resulting from the combination of all the scales used. The research results reveal two new scales synthesized from traditional Central European scales based on pitch-combination theory and experimentation. These two scales were then applied in the systematic formation of leitmotifs to maintain musical consistency while effectively representing the emotional and dramatic journeys of literary characters. The use of leitmotifs and the contrapuntal method to combine the entire set of scales effectively represents the characters’ traits within the musical composition.