Description
"Erlkonig" is one of Schubert's most celebrated works, based on Goethe's poem. Over relentless triplet accompaniment depicting a galloping horse, a single performer dramatically voices the narrator, father, child, and Erlking. Despite a running time under four minutes, it packs in roughly 5,581 notes, and the unbroken triplets sustain constant tension; in this piano version, that vocal characterization must be conveyed through the keyboard alone, demanding advanced technique and real endurance, with shifting tone color at each turn helping to draw the listener in.
German art songs known as Lieder, including Schubert's dramatic "Erlkönig," where poetry and music are tightly intertwined.
Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Franz Schubert was a Vienna-born composer who died at only 31 but left behind a vast body of work, especially in the field of Lieder. Known for his gift for melody and subtle modulation, songs such as "Erlkonig" remain widely performed today. His piano works, including the Impromptus, are equally rich in lyricism. This site includes 120 of his works, such as Impromptus, "Erlkonig," and the "Hungarian Melody."
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