collage

(Fr.). A putting‐together of independent styles in juxtaposition either simultaneously or successively. The separate styles usually consist of contrasting rhythm, melody, or harmony. For a true collage the juxtaposition must be of coherent sections which are the product of separate mus. elements, e.g. the many examples in the mus. of Charles Ives, where dissonances are not resolved but treated as a normal situation. The term is borrowed from the visual arts, and literally means 'glueing together'.