Which technique allows for free flowing expressiveness in music performance?

Rubato is a musical technique that enhances expressiveness in performance by allowing the performer to manipulate the tempo of the music, creating a free-flowing and emotive interpretation. This flexibility means that certain notes can be played slightly faster or slower than the indicated tempo, contributing to a more personal and nuanced rendition of the piece.

For instance, in a rubato passage, a performer might linger on a particular note or phrase before moving on, which can evoke deeper emotions from the audience and allow the musician to convey their interpretation of the music more effectively. This contrasts with staccato, which emphasizes short, detached notes, contributing a different kind of energy but not necessarily expressive flow. Similarly, while dynamics refer to variations in loudness that can create drama, they do not inherently allow for the same kind of tempo flexibility that rubato does. Legato focuses on smooth, connected notes, but does not provide the same level of temporal freedom that rubato offers. Thus, rubato is the technique that truly allows for a rich, expressive performance.