What does polyphonic texture consist of?

Polyphonic texture is characterized by the presence of two or more independent melodies that interweave and interact with one another. This musical texture creates a complex and rich sound, as each melody retains its distinct identity while contributing to the overall harmony. In contrast to homophonic texture, which features a single melody accompanied by chords, or monophonic texture, which includes a single melody without any harmony, polyphony emphasizes the independence and interrelation of melodies. This type of texture is often found in vocal music, such as choral works, and in instrumental compositions where multiple instruments play distinct lines simultaneously. Therefore, the choice highlighting independent melodies interweaving encapsulates the essence of polyphonic texture.