Here we see Schubert's first published work, the Art Song or
Lied Erlkonig, Elf King in english.
This wasn't Schubert's earliest composition.
But it was the first one he was able to get published,
as it says here on the title page, 1st Werk.
And it became a smash hit.
In the course of the 19th century,
nearly 100 composers did arrangements or covers of it.
Indeed this one song alone made Schubert's reputation in the 19th century.
How old was he when he wrote this masterpiece, this song for eternity?
The ripe old age of 18, which causes me to ask,
who wrote the greatest piece, a masterpiece, at the earliest age?
Mendelson, with his octet, Mozart, Schubert?
Paul McCartney, with Love Love Love Me Do, he was 15.
Well it's difficult to say, but one could make a strong case for
Schubert and his Lied Erlkonig.
What's this song about?