What is the main idea of the composition Erlkonig by Franz Peter Schubert?

What is the main idea of the composition Erlkönig by Franz Peter Schubert?

It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking or “Erlkönig” (suggesting the literal translation “alder king”). It was originally composed by Goethe as part of a 1782 Singspiel entitled Die Fischerin.

What role is the singer singing in Erlkönig?

The singer takes the role of four characters — the narrator, a father, his small son, and the titular “Erlking”, a supernatural creature who pursues the boy — each of whom exhibit different tessitura, harmonic and rhythmic characteristics.

What are the characteristics of Erlkönig?

Der Erlkönig is a through-composed piece, meaning that with each line of text there is new music. Although the melodic motives recur, the harmonic structure is constantly changing and the piece modulates within characters.

Why is Erlkönig famous?

“Erlkönig” is by far the best known of these. The poem that provides its text, like many of the supernatural tales that dominated literature in the Romantic era, has its roots in a Scandinavian folktale. He is frightened when he is courted by the Erl-King, a powerful and creepy supernatural being.

What does the Erlking symbolize?

The Erlking symbolizes death, which is to the Romantic a source not only of fear but also of attraction to the unknown and the supernatural. Goethe’s poem embodies the universal theme of the loss of innocence.

Is erlkonig homophonic?

In regards to texture, the piece is homophonic, as there is one melody with accompaniment. Franz Schubert has effectively written Der Erlkonig using the musical elements of tonality, melodic shape and contour, rhythm, the relationship between the piano and the voice, and word painting.

Is the Erlking program music?

Schubert’s “Erlkönig” is a lied ballad based off of the poem “Erlkönig” by Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe. A lied ballad is a type of miniature composition (Greenberg, 209) in which a narrative piece (usually a poem) serves as the fundamental subject matter for a song.

What is the mood of erlkonig?

“Erlkönig” is a: miniature, a song. Because of the piano accompaniment, it can be said that the mood of “Erlkönig” is: agitated.

Who is riding so late in the night and wind?

Who rides so late through the night and wind? It is the father with his child. He has the boy in his arms; he holds him safely, he keeps him warm.

What does the piano represent in the Erlking?

The pianos triplet represents the Horse’s gallop. While the terrified boy is represented by the high notes and crys out at the father. The father is sung low is reassuring. The Erlking tries to entice the boy and coy melodies in major scales.

What is the mood of Erlkönig?

What happens to the boy at the end of Schubert’s erlkonig?

Finally the Elf King declares that he will take the child by force. The boy shrieks that he has been attacked, spurring the father to ride faster to the Hof. Upon reaching the destination, the child is already dead.

What are the dynamics of Franz Schubert’s Erlkonig?

Erlkonig (The Erlking) – Franz Schubert, Romantic Era. Timbre: Dark colors, almost sinister in a way. Melody: Fast rising notes, BUM, BUM. keeps repeating. Harmony: changes between who is singing at the moment. (Father, Son, Erlking) Dynamics: normal until the son is taken by the Erlking. Texture: solo voice that portrays a story. homophonic.

What does the last verse of Schubert’s Erlkonig mean?

Even lines 30 and 32 in the last verse might point to the sexual acts: “the groaning child” (Z. 30) – the boy suffers from the Erlkönig – and “the child was dead” (Z. 32) So that the boy is no longer alive, but also so that the Erlkönig has raped him and he is no longer a “child”, but still lives.

Who was the composer of the poem Erlkonig?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ” Erlkönig “, Op. 1, D 328, is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1815, which sets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ‘s poem of the same name.

What does Erlkonig has made me suffer mean?

Erlkönig has made me suffer ” (Z. 27/28), which could indicate that the Erlkönig raped the boy.