Different composers have different ways of using tempo and rubato in their music. These choices can really change how the music feels. Knowing about these styles can help improve how we play piano.

1. Classical Composers

• Ludwig van Beethoven: He liked to change the tempo, which helped show strong feelings in his music. For example, in his Symphony No. 5, he wrote "Allegro con brio," which means to play it lively and with energy.
• Johann Sebastian Bach: He usually kept a steady tempo with little rubato. This was especially true in his keyboard music, which made the music sound clear and balanced.

2. Romantic Composers

• Frédéric Chopin: Chopin is famous for using rubato a lot. This means he allowed players to stretch or squeeze the tempo to bring out emotions. About 60% of his piano pieces, like the Nocturnes, ask for rubato, giving performers room to really express themselves.
• Franz Liszt: Liszt liked to change the tempo dramatically to tell a story in his music. He mixed fast and slow parts, which created exciting contrasts that kept listeners interested.

3. 20th Century Composers

• Sergei Rachmaninoff: He mixed traditional and new ideas about tempo. His pieces often need specific tempos to develop the theme properly. Research shows that pianists often play 10-15% faster or slower to get the feeling he intended.
• Igor Stravinsky: Stravinsky took a different route by using strict tempos in his ballets, like "The Firebird." This made it a challenge for performers to show feelings without using rubato.

Conclusion

Tempo and rubato are very important for how piano music is interpreted. Looking at different composers shows us their unique ideas about expression:

• Classical composers liked to keep things steady.
• Romantic composers were more flexible.
• 20th-century composers balanced structure with deep emotions.

When pianists learn to master these techniques, they can make the music truly come alive, giving each performance their personal touch.