A definition of rubato in music

Students often ask me when to use rubato so here’s a piece of advice: not too often! Pulse is an essential element to the majority of music we play, therefore, don’t obscure the rhythmic element of pulse with unnecessary amounts of rubato. However, it all depends on context.  What music are you playing and what era and composer are you interpreting? We might generalize that all music has some rubato to keep it sounding human and non-robotic. However, we might also generalize that some eras or composers benefit more from rubato compared to others.

Let’s start our discussion with a definition of rubato from Oxford’s Music Dictionary:

Rubato, or tempo rubato (It.). Robbed time. A feature of performance in which strict time is for a while disregarded – what is ‘robbed’ from some note or notes being ‘paid back’ later. When this is done with genuine artistry and instinctive musical sensibility, the effect is to impart an admirable sense of freedom and spontaneity. Done badly, rubato merely becomes mechanical. The question of rubato in Chopin is particularly contentious, since its use in his music may be dangerously open to abuse. Accounts of his playing (and of Mozart’s) suggest that he kept the left-hand in strict time and added rubato with his right.

I would also add that rubato is a tool used for musical expression. However, as with other expressive tools such articulation, dynamics, and ornamentation, the structure and basic elements of the composition should not change. You should be able to justify your choices, don’t just use rubato ‘all over’ a piece. I like to use the analogy of the Christmas Tree. Think of the tree as the structure and basic elements of a composition. Now, all the lights, ornaments, and presents add interest to the tree but they do not change the structure or fact that it is still a tree. Rubato is like the ornaments, it helps add interest but does not burn the tree down during a family fit!

A battle to the death:

In a fight to the death between rubato and pulse, pulse should always win…

There is a misconception that rubato fights the pulse rather than works with it. Unless you’re playing a cadenza or at liberty section (these are more often though of as being played with freedom or liberty rather than rubato) then I would avoid the divorce of pulse and rubato. Keep the pulse going internally most of the time, especially if you’re in the middle of a phrase.

Let’s further this definition by ruling out some confusing parallels.

Rubato is not the same as:

• ritardando – ‘held back’ or diminishing the speed
• rallentando – same as above for the most part, sometimes a broadening…
• breath marks at the ends of phrases
• accelerando – gradually increasing the speed of the tempo
• freely or at liberty – freedom from the rhythm

Rubato does not and should not: 

• be used to compensate for technical difficulty or poor musicianship skills (although it can be used to help technique if musically appropriate.
• change the actual rhythm of the notes. That is, rubato has more to do with tempo and less with specific rhythms
• disrupt the phrase or direction of the musical line
• get used randomly for no reason
• utterly destroy your pulse and make your overall tempo fluctuate

Rubato can:

• when done correctly, contribute to the direction and intensity of a phrase
• help you imitate the natural phrasing of, for example, the human voice
• add a human element to the music
• contribute to musical expression
• add direction to the music and a sense of push and pull

How often should we use rubato?

That really depends, certain styles and time periods treat rubato in different ways. As always you should listen to many recordings and performances of the composer and period you are studying. Try to absorb the style. When in doubt, use it moderately.

Classical guitarist Martha Masters gives the following advice in her ‘Reaching the Next Level‘:

What I would propose is that rubato be the last interpretive tool you add to a piece. The first tools used should be dynamics and articulations…sing through your piece, marking in where you think rubato should go…for most music, a definite pulse should pervade the majority of the piece. (pg. 28)

A few videos to listen for rubato:

Let’s listen to some rubato with this classic work, Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tárrega played by Ana Vidovic. The score shows thirty-second notes with no variation or different rhythms. The score looks technical, robotic, strict, and sterile. So all the “push and pull” and swaying to the music is interpretative by Vidovic. This is very appropriate in this Romantic era work.

Video Source: http://youtu.be/bADjoLKYpdU

This next example is good because you can see the conductor keeping time even though rubato is being used in the piano. Like we discussed, the structure of the rhythm and tempo do not really change…it is simply expressed differently. By the way I love Pletnev’s playing, he’s a well known conductor himself…[Buy Recordings by Mikhail Pletnev]

Another goodie, Beethoven “Sonata Pathétique”- 2nd mvt Adagio cantabile played by Daniel Barenboim [Buy recordings by Daniel Barenboim]