THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOTIF IN “GLORIOSA” BY YASUHIDE ITO

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the motif development in the song ‘Gloriosa’ by Yasuhide Ito, a famous Japanese composer. The findings disclose that this song vividly presents the nationalistic identity of Japan. There is a well mixture of western and eastern music. The song ‘Gloriosa’ contains three main pieces using Gregorian chant as the main rhythm and melody. It also uses a folk song as a motif covering all three pieces. The motif is a kind of weak beat using eighth note or sometimes sixteenth note depending on the motif development in each piece. Then the motif is developed into melody and presented repeatedly in every piece leading to unity. The song is easily remembered and becomes very popular. Analyzing the motif development of the song ‘Gloriosa’ will provide how Professor Yasuhide Ito developed the motif in his song. The results will provide guidelines for song composers in Thailand to make use of the motif in Thai songs to develop the melody, write good songs with unity, and present them in public. Although each composer may get different guidelines from analysis, they can use the guidelines of analysis to apply in other songs. It is also hoped that this article will be useful for anyone who feels interested in similar studies in the future.