Short Answer
Overview
Rubato (Italian for “stolen”) refers to a flexible approach to tempo in which a performer temporarily deviates from the strict metrical pulse. The deviation is typically subtle, creating a sense of ebb and flow that enhances the expressive character of a passage. While the overall tempo remains recognizable, notes or phrases may be slightly accelerated or delayed, and the timing is often restored later in the line.
The practice is most closely associated with Romantic-era music, where composers such as Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt used it to convey heightened emotion. However, rubato is not limited to any single period; it appears in Baroque ornamentation, Classical-era cadenzas, and contemporary improvisation, demonstrating its broad applicability across styles.
History / Origin
The term rubato entered musical discourse in the early 19th century, derived from the Italian verb rubare, meaning “to steal.” Early uses of the concept can be traced to Italian opera and French salon music, where singers would stretch or compress phrases for dramatic effect. The practice was codified in written scores through expressive markings such as “rubato” or “senza misura” (without measure), and later through performance practice treatises that described its appropriate use.
How It’s Used
Rubato appears in a variety of contexts, including solo piano works, string solos, vocal lines, and jazz improvisation. In notation, composers may write the term explicitly, or they may indicate a general expressive intent with markings like espressivo or flexibile. Performers interpret rubato by adjusting the timing of melodic lines while maintaining the underlying pulse, often coordinating with accompanists who keep a steady tempo beneath the expressive fluctuations.
Why It Matters
Rubato gives musicians a tool to shape phrases, highlight climactic moments, and personalize performances. It contributes to the emotional depth of iconic works such as Chopin’s Nocturnes, Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies, and Gershwin’s “Summertime.” Listeners often perceive rubato as a sign of expressive freedom, making a piece feel more spontaneous and alive.
Common Misconceptions
Rubato means playing the entire piece at an irregular tempo.
Rubato involves temporary, localized tempo flexibility while the overall pulse remains steady.
Rubato is the same as accelerando or ritardando.
Accelerando and ritardando indicate a sustained change in tempo, whereas rubato is a brief, expressive deviation that is usually recovered within the same phrase.
FAQ
Is rubato written into the score or left to the performer?
Both occur. Some composers explicitly mark rubato, while in other cases they leave it to the performer’s discretion based on stylistic conventions.
Can rubato be used in fast, rhythmic music like rock or metal?
Rubato is less common in strictly metered genres such as rock or metal, but solo instrumental breaks or vocal phrasing may incorporate subtle rubato for expressive effect.
How does rubato affect ensemble playing?
In ensemble settings, the rhythm section typically maintains a steady pulse while soloists employ rubato, requiring careful listening and mutual agreement on when the tempo will be restored.
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