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Franz Schubert: Erlkönig, D. 328

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description Franz Schubert: Erlkönig, D. 328 Overview

Franz Schubert’s Erlkönig, D. 328, is a Romantic-era song cycle based on Goethe's narrative poem. It features a dramatic vocal line accompanied by piano and depicts a father attempting to rescue his son from the supernatural Erlking. The work showcases Schubert’s skill in portraying complex characters and emotional intensity, making it particularly relevant for singers, pianists, and listeners interested in late Classical and early Romantic music.

help Franz Schubert: Erlkönig, D. 328 FAQ

What literary work is Schubert's Erlkönig based on?

Schubert’s Erlkönig, D. 328, is a Romantic-era Lied based on a narrative poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The poem depicts a father attempting to rescue his son from the supernatural Erlking.

How does Schubert musically portray the characters in Erlkönig?

The solo vocalist must portray four distinct characters—the narrator, the father, the son, and the Erlking—by changing their vocal register and expression. The piano accompaniment continuously mimics the galloping horse's hooves throughout the piece.

When did Franz Schubert compose Erlkönig?

Franz Schubert composed Erlkönig in 1815 when he was just 18 years old. It was originally published as his Opus 1 and later cataloged as D. 328 in the Deutsch catalog of his works.

What is the tragic ending of the Erlkönig poem and song?

In the climax of the piece, the father reaches his destination only to find that the Erlking has taken the child's life. The final line of the song, sung by the narrator, states, In his arms, the child was dead.

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