Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪsɔːhˌɪθəm] (IPA) 
The word "isorhythm" is spelled with the combination of the prefix "iso-" meaning "equal" and the word "rhythm". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /aɪsə(ʊ)ˈrɪðəm/, with stress on the second syllable. The "i" sound is pronounced as /ɪ/ , followed by the "s" sound as /s/. The "o" sound is pronounced as /əʊ/, followed by the stressed syllable "ri" /ˈrɪ/, and then the "th" sound as /ð/ and the "um" sound as /əm/.
Isorhythm, derived from the Greek words "isos" meaning equal, and "rhythmos" meaning rhythm, refers to a musical technique used in medieval and Renaissance music composition. It involves the repetition of a fixed melodic pattern, known as a talea, throughout a composition, while different rhythms are laid over it.
In isorhythm, the talea is like a rhythmic blueprint, consisting of a specific sequence of durations or rhythms that repeatedly occur throughout a piece. This sequence is usually notated as a series of long and short notes. Meanwhile, another melodic line, known as the color, is superimposed on the talea. The color typically consists of a separate melody, often with different pitches and intervals from the talea.
The purpose of isorhythm is to create a structure within the music, adding an element of complexity and unity. By overlaying different melodic patterns on a repeating rhythmic framework, composers can create intricate and layered compositions that engage the listener. Isorhythm is often used in complex polyphonic compositions, such as motets and organ music, where multiple voices or instruments intertwine.
Isorhythm was most prevalent during the 14th and 15th centuries, particularly in the works of composers associated with the Ars nova and Ars subtilior movements. While it fell out of use during the Baroque era, isorhythm had a significant influence on later musical developments and is still studied and appreciated by scholars and musicians today.
The word "isorhythm" comes from two Greek roots: "isos" meaning "equal" and "rhythmós" meaning "rhythm". It was introduced as a technical musical term in the 14th century, particularly associated with the music of the Ars Nova, a musical style that emerged in the late 13th and early 14th centuries in France. Isorhythm refers to a compositional technique where equal durations or equal rhythmic patterns are repeated throughout a composition. The term "isorhythm" itself was coined in the 19th century by the German musicologist Friedrich Ludwig.
