Polyphonic refers to music that has multiple independent melodic lines playing at the same time. This is in contrast to monophonic music, which only has one melodic line, and homophonic music, which has a single melody with accompanying harmony.
Here are some key features of polyphonic music:
* Multiple Melodies: Each voice has its own distinct melody, moving independently from the others.
* Counterpoint: The melodies interact with each other, creating a complex and interesting musical texture.
* Harmony: While each voice has its own melody, the combination of voices creates harmony.
Examples of polyphonic music:
* Renaissance Period: Works by Palestrina, Josquin des Prez, and other composers of the era.
* Baroque Period: Bach's fugues, Handel's choruses, and other works.
* Classical Period: Mozart's operas, Haydn's string quartets, and other works.
So, "polifonic" simply means "polyphonic" in Italian, and it describes music with multiple independent melodies playing at the same time.