Tempo rubato (UK: /ˈtɛmpoʊ rʊˈbɑːtoʊ/, US: /ruː-/, Italian: [ˈtɛmpo ruˈbaːto]; 'free in the presentation', literally Italian for 'stolen time') is a musical term referring to expressive and rhythmic freedom by a slight speeding up and then slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or the ...

What does rubato mean literally?

Rubato – or its full name tempo rubato, which literally means 'robbed time' – is the temporary abandonment of strict tempo. It allows the performer to be more flexible with their pace, and they can speed up or slow down to create effect and emphasise certain musical passages.

Did Mozart use rubato?

RUBATO: Mozart, like others of his time, described a freely fluctuating treatment of melody in which solo and accompaniment (or right hand and left) go in and out of synchronization. This too is thought nowadays, with no evident justification, an arch-Romantic trait.