contrapuntal

American  

[kon-truh-puhn-tl] / ˌkɒn trəˈpʌn tl /

adjective

Music.

1. of or relating to counterpoint.

2. composed of two or more relatively independent melodies sounded together.

---

contrapuntal British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈpʌntəl /

adjective

1. music characterized by counterpoint

---

Other Word Forms

• contrapuntally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of contrapuntal

1835–45; < Italian contrappunt ( o ) + -al ¹. See counterpoint

Explanation

Anything contrapuntal has to do with counterpoint, which is a type of music that has two melodic lines played at the same time. Many kinds of music (such as rock and country) are very simple, but others are more complex: such as contrapuntal tunes. Contrapuntal music involves counterpoint, in which more than one musical line plays at the same time. The lines are independent but related harmonically: creating that relationship isn’t easy. A contrapuntal composer therefore must be very skilled, because contrapuntal music has a lot of balls in the air — or rather, notes. You can also call contrapuntal music polyphonic.

Example Sentences

Contrapuntal details were occasionally lost in a blur.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2011

Contrapuntal skill is shown in the working out section.

From Chopin : the Man and His Music by Huneker, James

Almost all other contrapuntal devices are derived from the principle of the canon and are discussed in the article Contrapuntal Forms.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

His treatment of other important art-forms is illustrated in the articles on Contrapuntal Forms; Concerto and Instrumentation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various