description Erlkönig, D. 328 Overview
"Erlkönig" (D. 328) is a celebrated art song composed by Franz Schubert in 1815, setting a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The composition requires a single vocalist to perform four distinct characters: a narrator, a father, his terrified young son, and the supernatural Erlking. Continuous, driving triplet figures in the piano accompaniment vividly simulate the urgent galloping of a horse, creating a relentless atmosphere of dread.
The lied is widely studied and performed by classically trained vocalists for its intense dramatic and musical demands.
help Erlkönig, D. 328 FAQ
Who wrote the poem that Schubert's Erlkönig is based on?
The lyrics for "Erlkönig" (D. 328) are based on a famous poem written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Franz Schubert composed the musical setting for this tragic text in 1815.
How many characters does the singer perform in Erlkönig?
The composition requires a single vocalist to perform four distinct characters throughout the piece. These roles include the narrator, the father, his terrified young son, and the supernatural Erlking.
When was Schubert's Erlkönig composed?
Franz Schubert composed this celebrated art song in 1815 when he was just a teenager. It is officially catalogued as D. 328 in the Deutsch catalog of his works.
What is the plot of the Erlkönig song?
The song tells the story of a father riding on horseback through a storm, trying to save his terrified young son. The boy claims to see and hear the supernatural Erlking, who ultimately takes the child's life by the end of the ride.
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