Polyphony

Polyphony, also called counterpoint, comes from a Greek word which means "many voices." It is music that has two or more independent melodies woven together, but in its early form was based on plainchant. As singers continued experimenting with melodies, polyphony became more elaborate and complex.

This Day in Music History: 1986 - During the World Eucharistic Congress in Bologna, Italy, Bob Dylan performed "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" for Pope John Paul II.