Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 in E minor

Rubato what it is called when an artist alters rhythm and tempo in order to convey information that generally cannot be express using music strictly tied to a fixed rhythm and tempo. It is like using only instruments to convey what lyrics otherwise could. Use of Rubato in Romantic era music, where it was common, has been described as emotional, dramatic, sentimental, passionate, poetic, intense, melancholic, sensitive, yearning, nostalgic, serene, dreamy, lyrical, warm, soulful, evocative, ornate, grandiose, and majestic. When Rubato is used in Punk music (where it is somewhat common), it has been called unintelligible, primitive, nihilistic, aggressive, and unlistenable, among other things.