This particular work is from the musical genre of Lieder (basically, German for "song"). Lieder was very popular in German musical circles throughout the romantic period, and most often were written for solo voice accompanied by piano. Most set poetry to music, emphasizing qualities like beauty, love, and mystery, and many told rich, colorful stories.
Such is the case with this work by the young Franz Schubert; this was possibly his very first Lieder, written while he was around the age of 17. The soloist sings all four parts - the narrator, the father, the boy, and the Erlkönig.
"Der Erlkönig" tells the story of a father riding a horse home with his deathly sick child in his arms, and you hear the horse hoofs pounding away in the piano line. The father asks why he is so upset, and his hallucinating child tells him that he can see the king of the elves, tempting him to go away with him to his kingdom. We hear the King of the Elves' seductive words, and the conversation continues between the boy, the King of the Elves, and the boy's father until the dramatic conclusion.
If you are unfamiliar with this piece, I highly recommend reading along with the translation the first time you listen. It is truly spine-chilling.
This recording features the amazing Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, one of the most legendary baritones of all time, who passed away last week.
(I would say happy listening, but it doesn't quite work with this one...)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau – Erlkönig, D. 328
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