Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1816

Average_duration

:

2:40

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Franz Schubert's 'Lied, D. 403' is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that was composed in 1816. It is also known as 'Der Erlkönig' or 'The Erlking' and is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The piece premiered in Vienna in 1821 and has since become one of Schubert's most famous works. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first movement sets the scene, with a father and his young son riding through the forest on horseback. The second movement introduces the Erlking, a supernatural being who tries to lure the boy away from his father. The third movement is the climax of the piece, with the Erlking becoming more and more insistent and the boy becoming more and more frightened. The final movement is a tragic conclusion, with the boy dying in his father's arms. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Lied, D. 403' is its use of different voices to represent the different characters. The father is represented by a deep, steady bass, while the boy is represented by a higher, more fragile tenor. The Erlking is represented by a fast, frenzied melody that seems to dance around the other voices. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of repetition and variation. The melody of the Erlking is repeated throughout the piece, but each time it is slightly different, becoming more and more intense as the story progresses. This creates a sense of tension and urgency that builds to the climactic third movement. Overall, 'Lied, D. 403' is a masterpiece of storytelling through music. Schubert's use of different voices and repetition creates a sense of drama and tension that draws the listener in and keeps them engaged until the tragic conclusion. It is a testament to Schubert's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the emotions and themes of a powerful poem in music.

More....