LIEDER LEADERS

 

Understanding Artsongs and An in-depth look at the “Erlking” by Schubert

 

UNIT PLAN

   

Focus:
This unit serves to introduce students to ways that a composer can express certain ideas, emotions, moods or feelings through music and to apply these ideas in combination with their knowledge of form to create an original piece of music. This unit also has students practice the skill of listening analytically and with detail to a specific piece of music. This particular unit focuses on Schubert’s use of expression in the “Erlking”. Besides being a very expressive piece of music the fact that the song is in German forces students to focus on elements of the music other than the actual words to interpret what the composer was trying to express.


This lesson also draws on students’ knowledge of form and dynamics. It also serves as a basis for students to begin using expression in their own compositions in the future. This lesson offers opportunities to explore music history by discussing Lieder and the general style of German Romantic music as well as introducing the composer Schubert.

  
   
Objectives: After successful engagement with this unit, students should be able to
1. Identify expressive techniques Schubert uses in the “Erlking”.
2. Follow the form of the Erlking by knowing which character is being portrayed throughout the piece.
3. Describe how rhythm, tempo, dynamics and the interaction of piano and voice are used as expressive elements in the “Erlking”.
4. Compose a short piece of music following guidelines that makes use of expressive techniques
5. Identify appropriate historical information regarding the “Erlking”. 		 
   
Preparation: Students must have a foundation of form, melody, harmony and working knowledge of the piano keyboard to be applied in their compositions. Be able to facilitate group work well and help students overcome obstacles without telling them exactly what to do.  
   
Procedures:  
PART I  
PART II