What tempo is "Molto Rubato"?

Question

i mean what the # that represents it so i can use my metronome set at the right speed...

Answer 1

l'inter ha rubato

Answer 2

A metronome is a bad idea for a "rubato" tempo.  "Rubato" means that the time is flexible (it literally means "stolen"); "molto rubato" means VERY flexible, so the notion of sticking with something strict like a metronome goes against the whole idea of the "feeling" of the music.  

If in doubt about the SPEED, then get a recording of the music and listen to it; that should give you an idea.  You can get LOTS of pieces of music from iTunes for only a dollar or so - VERY good investment for a student musician!

Answer 3

Molto = much, a lot

Rubato = literally "robbed time" - you know how Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor? A musician playing with rubato would "rob" from a part of the phrase they would want to be slower, and speed up later on according to the music. For example if you had a rising passage, you may wish to slow down to emphasize it, but resume your normal tempo after.

As for your metronome - it's difficult to set it, when rubato basically dictates that you can speed up and slow down when you want. I would suggest getting as many recordings as possible of whatever it is you're working on, and use them as a framework - the final decision is yours. :)