Overview
Introduction
"Erlkönig" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking or "Erlkönig". It was originally composed by Goethe as part of a 1782 Singspiel entitled Die Fischerin.
"Erlkönig" has been called Goethe's "most famous ballad". The poem has been set to music by several composers, most notably by Franz Schubert.
The Franz Schubert composition
Franz Schubert composed his Lied "Erlkönig" for solo voice and piano in 1815, setting text from Goethe's poem. Schubert revised the song three times before publishing his fourth version in 1821 as his Opus 1; it was catalogued by Otto Erich Deutsch as D. 328 in his 1951 catalog of Schubert's works. The song was first performed in concert on 1 December 1820 at a private gathering in Vienna and received its public premiere on 7 March 1821 at Vienna's Theater am Kärntnertor.
The four characters in the song – narrator, father, son, and the Erlking – are all sung by a single vocalist. Schubert placed each character largely in a different vocal range, and each has his own rhythmic nuances; in addition, most singers endeavor to use a different vocal coloration for each part.
- The Narrator lies in the middle range and begins in the minor mode.
- The Father lies in the lower range and sings in both minor and major mode.
- The Son lies in a higher range, also in the minor mode.
- The Erlking's vocal line, in the major mode, provides the only break from the ostinato bass triplets in the accompaniment until the boy's death.
A fifth character, the horse, is implied in rapid triplet figures played by the pianist throughout the work, mimicking hoof beats.
"Erlkönig" starts with the piano playing rapid triplets to create a sense of urgency and simulate the horse's galloping. The left hand of the piano part introduces a low-register leitmotif composed of successive triplets. The right hand plays triplets throughout the piece until the last three bars. The constant triplets drive the frequent modulations of the piece as it switches between the characters.
Each of the Son's pleas becomes higher in pitch than the last. Near the end of the piece, the music quickens and then slows as the Father spurs his horse to go faster and then arrives at his destination. The absence of the piano creates multiple effects on the text and music. The silence draws attention to the dramatic text and amplifies the immense loss and sorrow caused by the Son's death.
The piece is regarded as extremely challenging to perform due to the multiple characters the vocalist is required to portray, as well as its difficult accompaniment, involving rapidly repeated chords and octaves which contribute to the drama and urgency of the piece.[citation needed]
"Erlkönig" is through-composed; although the melodic motives recur, the harmonic structure is constantly changing and the piece modulates within characters. The rhythm of the piano accompaniment also changes within the characters. The first time the Erlking sings in measure 57, the galloping motive disappears. However, when the Erlking sings again in measure 87, the piano accompaniment plays arpeggios rather than chords.
"Erlkönig" has been transcribed for various settings: for solo piano by Franz Liszt; for solo voice and orchestra by Hector Berlioz; for solo violin by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst.
Lyrics
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Wer reitet so spaet durch Nacht und Wind? 这时是谁在黑夜和风中奔驰？
Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind; 是那位父亲带着他的孩子；
Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm, 他把孩子抱在他的怀里，
Er fasst ihn sicher, er haelt ihn warm. 他把他搂紧，给他保持暖气。
Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht ? 我儿，为何藏起你的脸？
Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht ? 爸爸，你，没瞧见那个魔王？
Den Erlkönig mit Kron' und Schweif ? 那魔王戴着冠冕，拖着长裙.
Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif. 我儿，那是一团烟雾。
"Du liebes Kind, komm geh mit mir ! “来，跟我去，可爱的孩子！
Gar schoene Spiele spiele ich mit dir; 我要和你一同做有趣的游戏；
Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand; 海边有许多五色的花儿开放。
Meine Mutter hat manch' guelden Gewand." 我妈有许多金线的衣裳。”
Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hoerest du nicht, 爸爸，爸爸，你没有听见
Was Erlkönig mir leise verspricht ? 魔王轻声地对我许下诺言？
Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind! 不要响，孩子，你要安静！
In duerren Blaettern saeuselt der Wind. 那是风吹枯叶的声音。
"Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn ? “伶俐的孩子，你可想跟我同行？
Meine Toechter sollen dich warten schoen; 我的女儿们会伺候你十分殷勤；
Meine Toechter fuehren den naechtlichen Reihn 我的女儿们夜夜跳着园舞，
Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein." 跳着、唱着、摇着你使你睡熟。”
Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort 爸爸，爸爸，你没瞧见那厢
Erlkönigs Toechter am duesteren Ort ? 魔王的女儿们站在阴暗的地方？
Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh' es genau; 我儿，我儿，我看得清楚；
Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau. 那是几棵灰色的老杨树。
"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schoene Gestalt; “我爱你，你的美貌使我喜欢。
Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch ich Gewalt." 你要是不肯，我就要动用武力。”
Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt fasst er mich an! 爸爸，爸爸，他现在抓我来了！
Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan! 魔王抓得我疼痛难熬！
Dem Vater grauset's, er reitet geschwind, 父亲心惊胆战，迅速策马奔驰，
Er haelt in den Armen das aechzende Kind, 他把呻吟的孩子紧抱在怀里，
Erreicht den Hof mit Mühe und Not; 好容易赶到了他家里，
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot. 他怀里的孩子已经断气。
