1815 · Franz Schubert · Austria

Erlkönig

RomanticLied Landmark Romantic

A dramatic ballad for voice and piano based on Goethe’s poem about a supernatural being.

Musical Significance

The definitive example of the Romantic Lied, showcasing the piano as an equal partner to the voice.

Historical Context

Composed when Schubert was only 18, it marked the beginning of his prolific output as a songwriter.