Rhythmic and Isorhythmic Chorales

There are two main styles of rhythmic organization in Lutheran chorales: Rhythmic and Isorhythmic.

The Isorhythmic ("same meter") Chorale is typified by regular rhythmic patterns of mostly quarter notes and eighth notes along with some longer note values, usually at phrase endings. This is the type of chorale common in the 18th century and which is now associated with the harmonizations of J. S. Bach and others.

The Rhythmic Chorale usually has irregular rhythms which are often syncopated. These are the rhythms typical of much vocal and instrumental music of the Renaissance and consequently chorales which date from the early years of the Reformation (1520-1600) typically have this kind of rhythmic organization. Rhythmic Chorales were originally sung without accompaniment in a rather quick tempo.

Most of the historic chorales found in American hymnals are Isorhythmic. However, more of the original Rhythmic versions of the older chorales are starting to appear in new editions of hymnals. A typical example of the Rhythmic Chorale is the original rhythm of Martin Luther's, EIN' FESTE BURG as found in The Presbyterian Hymnal (1990), #259.

Listen to different versions of these well known chorales (MIDI):