Schubert, “Erlkönig” Presentation

Tess Kim, CC 2021, History major

In order to reflect the eerie and intense atmosphere of the song, I chose a scene from Corpse Bride. In this scene, Victor (the male protagonist) runs away after seeing his corpse bride for the first time. The fast repeats of the piano motive in minor key accompany Victor’s panicked running in this scene. In contrast to Victor’s horrified panic, Emily (the corpse bride) tries to entice him with her soft voice- reflecting the Elfking’s melodic voice in the major key. This scene from Corpse Bride captured both the Romantic era’s dark fascination with “strangeness and wonder” and the eeriness of the Piano motive.