contrapuntal

/,kɔntrə'pʌntl/

Thân thiện

A pianist plays a contrapuntal piece by Bach.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together: This describes music in which multiple distinct melodies are played or sung simultaneously, creating a harmonious texture.
   • Relating to or characteristic of or according to the rules of counterpoint: This refers to anything pertaining to the compositional technique of combining independent melodic lines.

Usage

The word contrapuntal is a technical term used primarily in music theory, analysis, and criticism. It describes the texture or structure of a piece of music. It is most commonly used as an adjective to modify nouns like "music," "texture," "style," "writing," or "section."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bach's fugues are famous for their intricate contrapuntal structure.
  • The composer employed a contrapuntal technique, weaving the violin and cello lines together beautifully.
  • This section features a dense, contrapuntal texture with three independent voices.

Advanced Usage

• Contrapuntal analysis: The study of how independent melodic lines interact within a piece of music.
  • The musicologist's contrapuntal analysis revealed hidden melodies in the orchestral score.

Variants and Related Words

• Counterpoint (n): The technique or art of combining melodies.
• Contrapuntally (adv): In a contrapuntal manner.
• Polyphonic (adj): A close synonym often used interchangeably with "contrapuntal," though "polyphonic" broadly means "many-voiced," while "contrapuntal" specifically implies the interplay according to contrapuntal rules.

Synonyms

• Polyphonic: Consisting of many voices or sounds.
• Imitative: In music, a texture where a melodic idea is presented in one voice and then repeated in another (a common contrapuntal device).

Antonyms

• Homophonic: A musical texture with a primary melody accompanied by chords, where the other parts are not independent melodies.
• Monophonic: A musical texture with a single, unaccompanied melodic line.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together
2. relating to or characteristic of or according to the rules of counterpoint
   • contrapuntal base

Từ đồng nghĩa

• polyphonic