Rhythm
(1) The recurrence of accents at equal intervals of time. (2) The repetition of a group of sounds (not necessarily Rellstab, H. F. L. Composer, writer; Germany. B. 1799; d. 1860.
Rellstab, J. C. F. (father of H.). Composer, writer; Germany. B. 1759; d. Remenyi, Ed. (reh'-men-yee). Violinist; Hungary. B. 1830; d. 1898.
RICERCATA melodic) at equal intervals of time. This is an illustration of the first meaning: 4 This, of the second : #3 4 The first may be called the essential rhythm; it is never destroyed, no matter how much it may be divided by the second or ideal rhythm; thus the essential rhythm of the following passage is I' 2 3; the ideal rhythm varies with each measure: 春 3 • Rhythm is the first essential of melody; without it we have only an aimless rising and falling of sounds. The essential rhythm is a fixed quantity which will bear very little tampering with. Witness the generally unsatisfactory effect of those compositions in which alternate measures of two and three units are used. Its pace may be changed by acceleration or retardation provided the rhythmical unit is maintained.
The ideal rhythm, or rhythm of the melody, is, on the other hand, completely under the composer's control, provided that its melodic motives, phrases, etc., may be "measured" by the rhythmical units adopted as the "time signature."