Just as there are inevitably chord progressions which are in common between songs, there are also melodic motifs which also have appeared in multiple songs, most often completely unintentionally and used in completely different contexts. I think that it is fascinating to listen for this little snippets that connect unlikely pairs/groups of songs. I will tabulate each example’s snippet by transposing the first note to C, but examples will only be included if the motif is of particular importance or recognizability.
Example 1:
C – G – Ab – Eb (a pair of fifths separated by minor sixth)
Brahms String Sextet #2, Mvt. I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPWDciXo3WY
Starcraft Main Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_1U7L_uDA4
Example 2:
C – B – C – G – F – (G) (a fifth, decorated with neighboring tones)
Bach Brandenburg No. 3, Mvt. I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ9qWpa2rIg
John Williams, Jurassic Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8zlUUrFK-M&t=1m26s
Example 3:
C – F – G – C (1 4 5 1, a pretty normal horn call)
Brahms, Sextet No. 2, Mvt. III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcRT2zIretM
Sibelius, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. I (a recurring motif which opens the movement and is a part of the main theme): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wzIEYjPGEU&t=2m45s
Very awesome moment in the same symphony as the the motif gives way to a full melody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wzIEYjPGEU&t=8m08s
Example 4:
C – E – G (the classic major triad)
Bach, Violin Concerto in E major, 1st Movement
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 4th Movement
Strauss, Blue Danube Waltz
