AMEB Grade 5 Erlking by Franz Schubert Analysis

Set Works – Erlking by Franz Schubert
1. Music: Franz Schubert
2. Poet: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
3. Song Type: German Lieder
4. Song Form: Through-composed
5. Key Signature: 2 Flats (G minor)
6. Time Signature: C (common time, 4/4)
7. Characters: Narrator, Son, Father, Erlking

Stanza 1 (Bars 1 – 32)
- G minor
- 15 bar intro, with the narrator setting the scene in bar 16.
- RH triplet chords depict a galloping horse, creating a rushing, agitated mood.
- LH rising triplet motif increases tension.
- Narrator’s voice set in middle register, with a calm melody composed of steps and leaps.
Stanza 2 (Bars 33- 54)
- 4-bar passage revisiting the introduction
- Father asks what’s wrong. Father’s melody in lower register. Includes ascending 4th.RH unison octaves, LH silent or long note.
- Son asks if he can see Erlking too. Son’s melody in higher register. Terror in RH by repeated diminished seventh chords.
- Father reassures the son.
Stanza 3 (Bars 55- 71)
- Key change to Bb Major.
- Erlking appears, with a tuneful and lyrical melody.
- Rhythmically diverse
- Quaver triplets divided between hands.
Stanza 4 (Bars 71- 84)
- Back to G minor
- Son cries in agitation, moves up from D- Eb.
- RH and voice have numerous semitone clashes.
- Tonality of G minor vague, representing fear and confusion.
- Father tries to calm boy, voice leaps a 4th, then mostly steps.
Stanza 5 (Bars 85- 95)
- Erlking reappears in C major.
- Quiet volume to match Erlking’s sneaky attempts.
- RH with running arpeggios
Stanza 6 (Bars 96-111)
- Son speaks, with same music as Stanza 4, but transposed up a tone to A minor, showing more desperation.
- Father speaks , in C sharp minor, then moves to D minor.
Stanza 7 (Bars 112 – 130)
- Revisits Intro for 5 bars
- Erlking speaks, starting softly.
- Last word goes from p-fff
- Son screams, stating Erlking has hurt him.
- Sf on the 1st and 3rd beats on last 3 bars.
Stanza 8 (Bars 130- 147)
- Return to G minor
- Narrator Speaks, tells the father riding home to seeking safety, however the son is already dead.
- The horse stops galloping, and the last three bars show a dramatic sense of stillness.