Riddle Canon (Noun)
Meaning
A canon in which the entrances of successive parts were indicated by cryptic symbols and devices (popular in the 15th and 16th centuries).
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The composer carefully constructed the riddle canon, creating an intricate labyrinth of sounds and symbols for the musicians to decipher.
- The Renaissance-era manuscript featured a riddle canon with elaborate drawings that only revealed the entrances to those with a keen eye for puzzles.
- Scholars spent years analyzing the riddle canon in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the anonymous composer.
- During the height of the Renaissance, riddle canons became a popular vehicle for intellectuals to test their knowledge of cryptography and codes.
- Musicians performing the riddle canon required a strong understanding of cryptography to untangle the complex sequence of entrances and countermelodies.