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polyphony

/pəˈlɪfəni/

Meanings
  • the combination of multiple melodic voices in a musical composition

    - "In Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the final movement features a choral component singing the text of Friedrich Schiller's poem 'An die Freude'. This choral component is an example of polyphony."

Variants
List of all variants of polyphony that leads to same result
polyphonies , polyphony
Forms
Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

{"text"=>"There are various forms and styles of polyphony in music. For example, in counterpoint, two or more independent melodic lines are combined in a harmonically compatible manner. Other forms of polyphony include homophony, where one melody dominates while the accompanying voices harmonize with the melody, and polytonality, where multiple keys or modes are used simultaneously in a musical composition."}


Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Greek 'polyphonia', meaning'many-voiced'.


Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word
  1. Did you know that the oldest known example of polyphony in Western music is believed to be the Hildegard von Bingen's 'Symphonia', composed around 1150 AD?

  2. Did you know that in Eastern music, polyphony is often referred to as 'Ragamala' or 'Raga-melody'? In this tradition, multiple melodies, or 'ragas', are interwoven and presented together in a harmonious and cohesive musical composition.

  3. Did you know that in some genres of popular music, such as rock and roll, heavy metal, and electronic dance music, polyphony is often achieved through the use of multiple vocalists or instrumentalists, each performing a distinct and independent musical line or melody? In this way, polyphony is not only a musical technique or compositional strategy, but also a collaborative and interactive musical process or experience, involving the creative interplay and interweaving of multiple musical voices, lines, or melodies, to produce a rich, complex, and harmonious musical texture or fabric.


Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to
  1. Harmony: The pleasing arrangement of musical elements, such as melody, rhythm, and harmony, to produce a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing musical composition.


Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Polyphony has been a significant aspect of various musical cultures throughout history. For instance, in medieval Europe, polyphony was commonly used in liturgical music, with works such as the Organum and the Motet featuring multiple melodic voices interweaving with one another.

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