I wanted to say something here but I don't have any references (yet) apart from 40-odd years of thinking about motorcycles

so I'm talking about high performance naturally aspirated engines here ...
Smaller throttle openings at low RPM actually produce MORE torque than full throttle. That is why you don't fit large carburetors if you want midrange driveability. This is because the higher mixture velocity of a smaller venturi allows improved cylinder mixing and more complete combustion.
In recent times we have seen the move to ride-by-wire throttles and selectable engine maps. This is why modern superbikes can have large throttle bodies and make 230bhp and still be rideable in traffic. When you fully rotate the twist grip at say 3000rpm the ECU does not fully open the butterflies - it gives you an opening that gives you the best useable torque. Previously with carbs (which I love) you had to compromise.
(Of course turbo engines are a whole other area and depend on whether you have mechanical or electronic boost control etc etc etc)