What is the plot of Schuberts Erlking?
The Erlking is about a father and son who are riding home on a horse and the Erlking, who is like a mythical seductive elf. The song has rapid repeated octaves in triplets in the piano, which represent the horse’s hooves. The Erlking is trying to convince the child to come with him and in fear, the child pleads with his father to protect him. The father, who cannot see or hear the Erlking, reassures his son that everthing is alright. The Erlking tells the child that they can play games and that his daughters can take care of the child. The child becomes more and more terrified and his dad will not take him seriously. The song ends with the father riding into the courtyard with the child dead in his arms.
