Erlkonig (Franz Schubert)

Question 1

date of composition

Answer 1

1815

Question 2

genre

Answer 2

Lied

Question 3

performing forces

Answer 3

solo voice and piano

Question 4

text source and language

Answer 4

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

Question 5

plot summary

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

key

Answer 6

originally G minor (often transposed to accommodate vocal range of performer)

Question 7

tempo

Answer 7

Schnell

Question 8

time signature

Answer 8

C

Question 9

character/mood

Answer 9

alternates urgent with saccharine (Erlking), turns sinister

Question 10

piano introduction

Answer 10

vigorous octave triplets in the right hand, and arched melody in the left hand

Question 11

musical setting

Answer 11

narrator = middle register, father = lower register and legato to soothe child, son = upper register (suggesting youth and innocence), Erlking = middle register (w. insincere sweetness)

Question 12

character differentiation

Answer 12

major/minor switching for father and Erlking (first two times)

Question 13

Erlking two-faced moment

Answer 13

major turns to minor, and middle register turns to lower

Question 14

arriving home: words + description

Answer 14

“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

Question 15

characteristics of Romanticism

Answer 15

1. expression of emotions
2. wide range of dynamics
3. folk elements
4. programmatic elements
5. lyrical melody