What does fragmentation refer to in music composition?

Fragmentation in music composition refers to the process of taking a complete theme or musical idea and breaking it down into smaller segments or motifs. This technique allows composers to develop these smaller pieces, which can then be manipulated through various compositional techniques such as repetition, variation, or transformation. By using fragmentation, a composer can generate new material while maintaining a connection to the original theme, thus enriching the overall texture and complexity of the music.

The other options do not accurately describe fragmentation. Introducing a new theme pertains to thematic development rather than breaking down existing material. The alteration of time signatures involves changes in the meter of the music, unrelated to the concept of theme segmentation. The arrangement of notes in a chord is focused on harmony and chord structure, which is distinct from the process of fragmentation in thematic development.