Rubato

Definition

Rubato is a musical term that refers to the expressive manipulation of tempo, allowing for a slight speeding up or slowing down of the music without altering its overall rhythm. This technique is used by performers to enhance emotional expression and bring individuality to a piece, making it feel more alive and dynamic. Rubato plays a significant role in creating contrasts in phrasing and is particularly prevalent in romantic music, where personal expression became increasingly important.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rubato is often associated with the Romantic period, as composers like Chopin and Liszt used it to express deep emotions and enhance musical storytelling.
2. In classical music, rubato is typically performed at the discretion of the musician, allowing for personal interpretation within the composer’s framework.
3. The use of rubato can vary significantly between performers, leading to unique interpretations of the same piece based on their expressive choices.
4. While rubato allows for flexibility in tempo, it's important for musicians to maintain an underlying pulse or beat to keep the music coherent.
5. Rubato can be seen as an early precursor to modern interpretive practices in various genres, influencing how musicians approach emotional expression across different styles.

Review Questions

• How does rubato influence performance interpretation in classical versus romantic period music?
  • Rubato plays a crucial role in performance interpretation, particularly distinguishing classical from romantic music. In classical music, rubato is often used more conservatively, focusing on maintaining a steady pulse while allowing slight tempo variations. In contrast, romantic music embraces rubato more freely, encouraging performers to take liberties with tempo to convey deep emotions and personal expressions, thus leading to more individualistic interpretations of pieces.
• Discuss the relationship between rubato and emotional expression in romantic music compositions.
  • Rubato has a strong relationship with emotional expression in romantic music compositions. Composers such as Chopin and Liszt incorporated rubato as a means to enhance the emotional depth of their works. By allowing performers to manipulate tempo expressively, rubato provides the flexibility needed to convey complex feelings, transforming a rigid tempo into a more fluid and dynamic musical experience that resonates deeply with listeners.
• Evaluate how the use of rubato in contemporary music reflects its historical roots while adapting to modern performance practices.
  • The use of rubato in contemporary music reflects its historical roots by maintaining the fundamental idea of expressive tempo manipulation. However, modern performance practices have adapted this concept by incorporating diverse influences from various genres and cultures. Today's musicians may blend traditional rubato techniques with new interpretations influenced by jazz improvisation or pop stylings, demonstrating how rubato has evolved while still being anchored in its historical context as a tool for emotional expression.

Related terms

Legato: A style of playing or singing where notes are connected smoothly without breaks, emphasizing fluidity and continuity in the music.

Tempo rubato: A specific application of rubato where the tempo is varied in a flexible manner, often used to convey emotion in performance.

Phrasing: The way musicians shape a sequence of notes in a passage, often using dynamics and articulation to convey meaning and emotion.