A term used to describe two related techniques of contrapuntal writing that were particularly important during the late 15th and the early 16th centuries. In the first, a pair of voices in a freely canonic relationship is imitated by another pair, as in the Kyrie of Josquin's Missa ‘Pange lingua’ (Werken, Missen, iv: 33, no.18). In the second, a duet involving two simultaneous motifs is imitated by another duet, as in the Gloria of Josquin’s Missa de Beata Virgine (Werken, Missen, iii, 30–31, no.16). Paired imitation is an important contrapuntal resources in the style of Josquin’s generation. Examples of it may be found in the music of Weerbeke, Josquin, Isaac, La Rue and Mouton, as well as in works by Févin and in the early works of Willaert.
See Counterpoint; Imitation; and Motet, §II.
ALEJANDRO ENRIQUE PLANCHART