Rubato
(roo-BAH-toe)
[It., stolen]
A practice common in Romantic compositions of taking part of the duration from one note and giving it to another. It involves the performer tastefully stretching, slowing, or hurrying the tempo as she/he sees fit, thus imparting flexibility and emotion to the performance.
More about tempo markings
SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLES:
- Chopin: Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66, (bridge to second theme and opening of second theme)
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 3, Track 14
- Chopin: Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 1, Track 16
- Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 2 (ending)
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 1, Track 42
- Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole, "Feria" (middle section)
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 1, Track 65
- Verdi: Rigoletto, "La donna é mobile"
- W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank --
Disc 1, Track 56
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