Composed or arranged with multiple independent melodic lines that complement or contrast with each other.
From counterpoint + -ed (adjective form). As musical terminology developed in the 16th-18th centuries, composers began describing their work as 'counterpointed' when it featured this sophisticated technique.
When a piece is truly counterpointed, each melodic line makes sense on its own AND when combined with the others—it's like having multiple conversations happening simultaneously that somehow harmonize perfectly, which is why it's so hard to compose.
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