Erlkonig (Franz Schubert) Flashcards
date of composition
1815
genre
Lied
performing forces
solo voice and piano
text source and language
poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, inspired by German legend of the Erlking, a sinister supernatural elf who dwells in the forest; anyone who is touched by him dies
plot summary
you know this. btw. 1st time Erlking = play a game, flowers on the shore, and mother has golden robes. 2nd time = you’re handsome, my daughters will wait upon you, lead the dances, and sing you to sleep. 3rd time = i love you, your beautiful form entices me. And if you’re not willing, I shall use force.
key
originally G minor (often transposed to accommodate vocal range of performer)
tempo
Schnell
time signature
C
character/mood
alternates urgent with saccharine (Erlking), turns sinister
piano introduction
vigorous octave triplets in the right hand, and arched melody in the left hand
musical setting
narrator = middle register, father = lower register and legato to soothe child, son = upper register (suggesting youth and innocence), Erlking = middle register (w. insincere sweetness)
character differentiation
major/minor switching for father and Erlking (first two times)
Erlking two-faced moment
major turns to minor, and middle register turns to lower
arriving home: words + description
“he reaches the courtyard weary and anxious”. A flat major triad (flattened supertonic)(Neopolitan chord). Creates false hope in listener and indicates the change in setting. Makes the ending even more tragic
characteristics of Romanticism
- expression of emotions
- wide range of dynamics
- folk elements
- programmatic elements
- lyrical melody