The Form of Schubert's Erlkönig

What form is Schubert's Erlkönig in?

Is it through-composed, strophic, or binary form?

Answer:

Schubert's Erlkönig is in through-composed form.

Schubert's "Erlkönig" is a lied ballad based on the poem "Erlkönig" by Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe. A lied ballad is a type of miniature composition in which a narrative piece (usually a poem) serves as the fundamental subject matter for a song.

Its form is through-composed music, meaning that even though the melodic motives recur, the harmonic structure is constantly changing and the piece modulates within the four characters. In terms of texture, the piece is homophonic, as there is one melody with accompaniment.

Franz Schubert effectively utilized tonality, melodic shape and contour, rhythm, the connection between the piano and the voice, and phrase painting in composing Der Erlkönig.