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.

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.

Anne-Marie McDermott

Excerpts from a forthcoming interview

Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott is a consummate artist who balances a versatile career as a soloist and collaborator. Performing over 100 concerts a year, her repertoire choices span from Bach and Haydn to Prokofiev and Scriabin to Kernis, Hartke, Tower and Wuorinen.

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Simone Dinnerstein

Excerpt from lesson on Bach D Minor Concerto

Known for her fresh insights into the music of Bach, Simone Dinnerstein first came to international public attention when her self-produced Goldberg Variations album launched to No. 1 on the Billboard Classical chart in its first week of sales.

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Andrew Tyson

Excerpt from livestream "On Rubato and the Golden Age"

First Prize winner at the 2015 Géza Anda Competition in Zürich, American pianist Andrew Tyson's distinctive interpretations led BBC Radio 3 to dub him "a real poet of the piano."

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Gwendolyn Mok

Excerpt from forthcoming lessons on Ravel

Gwendolyn Mok is a celebrated recording artist and concert pianist, and professor at San Jose State University. The last pupil of Vlado Perlemuter, Mok is one the few remaining heirs to the distinctive artistic legacy of Maurice Ravel.

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Frederic Chiu

Excerpt from lesson on Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 3

With a vibrant international concert schedule, acclaimed discography, and innovative multimedia and cross-disciplinary projects, pianist Frederic Chiu has distinguished himself as a maverick 21st Century artist and innovator.

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Sara Davis Buechner

Excerpt from lesson on Mozart Sonata K. 332

Noted for her musical command, cosmopolitan artistry, and visionary independence, Sara Davis Buechner is one of the most original concert pianists of our time

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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.