Chopin and the Tempo Rubato. BY J. CUTHBERT HADDEN. Definition: âTempo Rubato â. Taking the portion of the time from one note of a melody and giving it to another, for the sake of expression. It is much employed in the playing of Chopinâs music.DR. RALPH DUNSTAN.IN Mr. Henry T. Finckâs volume on Success in Music and How It Is Won, there is a chapter on âTempo Rubato,â written by Paderewski.he point is worth looking into. Of course, to begin with, one must differentiate between tempo rubato and an inherent inability to âkeep time.â Tempo rubato, âthis irreconcilable foe of the metronome,â as Paderewski calls it, is one of musicâs oldest friends.