Klangfarbenmelodie

Klangfarbenmelodie, or "tone color melody," is a musical technique where the overall melody is fragmented and distributed across different instruments or voices. Instead of one instrument playing the entire melody, small sections or individual notes are performed by different instruments, creating a shifting texture of sounds. This approach emphasizes timbre—the unique quality of each instrument—over traditional melodic continuity, allowing listeners to experience a many-layered, colorful sonic palette. Composed by Arnold Schoenberg, it challenges traditional notions of melody and harmony, highlighting the expressive potential of varied instrumental sounds within a cohesive musical idea.