In music, a cantus firmus (`fixed song`) is a pre-existing melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition. The plural of this Latin term is cantus firmi, although the corrupt form canti firmi (resulting from the grammatically incorrect treatment of cantus as a second- rather than a fourth-declension noun) can also be found. The Italian is .....
preexistent melody, such as a plainchant excerpt, underlying a polyphonic musical composition (one consisting of several independent voices or ... [11 related articles]
[n] - a melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition
noun a melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition
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