One critic alleged that the young composer had tried to supplant an older rival. (supplant: replace, supersede, displace) A more elaborate accusation called her score a slavish copy. (slavish: imitative, derivative, unoriginal) An ear trained on the top line might misinterpret the familiar tune. (misinterpret: misconstrue, misunderstand, misread) In the bass, though, the turn of the phrase was quite dissimilar. (dissimilar: unlike, different, distinct)
At rehearsal the older man asked for a transposition into his favorite key. (transposition: in this context change of musical key, key shift) The melody was reminiscent of a lullaby from his childhood. (reminiscent: evocative, redolent, suggestive) The unexpected harmony beneath it made him hear the same old notes in a new light. The critic, whose dismissive review was already set in type, shuffled toward the door. (dismissive: disdainful, contemptuous, scornful)
The composer invited her rival to play the closing bars. He settled at the piano and added a third voice. The review appeared with a small correction. Its author would have to attend a second performance before he could tell the reader whose tune had sent him home humming.