Episode 3

Stealing Time | The Meanings of Rubato in Piano Playing

Tempo Rubato, Italian for “stolen time,” is an expressive device found in every pianist’s interpretive toolkit. Yet there is little consensus on when to apply rubato, how much, and what it even means. This episode explores how musicians think about rubato, how perceptions have evolved over time, and what taking time in music can teach us about freedom. Featuring an ensemble cast of tonebase Artists, including Anne-Marie McDermott, Simone Dinnerstein, and Andrew Tyson, as well as excerpts from the piano's centurylong recorded legacy from Art Tatum to Martha Argerich.

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Episode 3

Featured tonebase Artists

This episode features the voices of world-class pianists and professors. All of the interviews in this episode come directly from their lessons on tonebase. Click below to view profiles and lessons.

Recordings used in this episode

Schumann: Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, Kinderszenen, 'Der Dichter spricht', Alfred Cortot performing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgbu3eNVtsc.

Chopin: Prélude in C Major, Op. 28, No. 1, Moritz Rosenthal performing,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZtGeqTtbeo.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30, Martha Argerich, Riccardo Chailly and Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra performing,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms4qQaMUaAk.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30, Sergei Rachmaninoff performing,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uqZhnqHMAg.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G Major, Op.58, Josef Hofmann, Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra performing, 1938,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3PjwfFiGYY.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor,’ Glenn Gould, Leopold Stokowski, American Symphony Orchestra performing, 1966,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp5D6cVtWMw

Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47,  Alfred Cortot performing, 1929, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb45wt8RXco.

Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro, K 492 - “Voi Che Sapete,” Margaret Price, James Lockhart, and the English Chamber Orchestra performing, 2006.

“Evergreen” from A Star Is Born, Barbara Streisand performing, 1976,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udLeOOy6em4.

“Fly Me To The Moon”, Frank Sinatra performing, Universal Music Group,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEcqHA7dbwM.

“Tea for Two,” Art Tatum performing, 1933,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kMEPYU1Xwg.

Chopin: Waltz in A flat major, Opus 69 No. 1, Ignaz Friedman performing, 1929,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKfrUkSkuZs.

Chopin: Andante Spianato e Grande Polonaise Brilliante Op.22, Evgeny Kissin performing, 2007,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBPq-BNiCr8.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 (1909), Andrew Tyson, Sir Mark Elder, and the Hallé Orchestra performing, 2012,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX6oaibG8K8.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 (1909), Van Cliburn, Kirill Kondrashin, and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra performing,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZNfCiIlVok.