Multisensory Aspects of Rhythm

According to Plato in the Laws, “Rhythm is the order in movement.” This definition, concise as it may be, is still the best one available. With it, Plato described what appeared in the numerous theatrical performances where the coryphaeus assured the coordination of the chorus’ songs and dances. Fragments of a dissertation by Aristoxène of Taranto (born 360 B.C.), found at the end of the eighteenth century and annotated by Westphal (1883) in Germany and by Laloy (1904) in France, provide valuable information regarding this order of movement.