Dietrich's expressions made this 20 times more frightening....

He does each part so strongly. The child literally sound terrified and in pain at some points. The father sounds like some big burly guy, and the Erlking is just downright creepy.And the running horse in the piano accompianment just adds to the whole effect of fear in the piece.Brilliantly executed by an amazing baritone.

I love how you can see his facial expressions change, especially in his eyes, when he changes characters!

I'm German and I can tell you: Nearly every German knows this poem by heart. The music by Schubert is extremely popular as well and frequently performed.

The way he inhabits the personalities of all three speakers in the poem without sacrificing technique and quality or using an exaggerated character voice is beyond sublime. RIP.

Imagine you are all alone in the woods at night, and suddenly Fischer Dieskau appears with that face he has, saying: "Come with me my darling boy..."

I memorised this poem in my German class in tenth grade, and I've been wanting to sing it forever. I'm giving my junior recital in three weeks, and it's on the program. I've never been more excited.

RIP Dietrich Fischer 1925-2012

Generally for pieces such as this, the pianist is referred to as a partner, not an accompanist, because the part they play is equally as important as the vocals. I totally agree, though, the pianist did a stellar job.

what makes this so distinctive is NOT the facial expressions, but the various vocal "tenors" that dfd expresses between Goethe's 4 characters: The narrator, son, father..and obviously...Erlking himself. It is a masterpiece of poetry, music, and artistic interpretation between both singer and accompanist. Best I've seen and heard. I do mean EVER!

can we have a hand for the piano player?....those hands belong on a deamon!!!

This vocalist gives it so much emotion, I love it.

子・父・魔王の歌いわけだけでなく表情も魂が乗り移ったかの様。演奏後の動きもまだ曲が続いてる感じそのままで素晴らしい。テクニックが要求されるピアノ演奏も最高。エクセレント！！！

50 years ago, I learned this poem in German class in high school, and 30 years ago, I learned this song when taking voice lessons from the lady who later became my wife. What a treat to see and hear a master at work singing one of my all-time favorites!

この方の歌う”魔王”が一番すばらしい。 中学生時代に音楽の授業ではじめてききました。 とても印象的な曲で、ひとりで何役も演じわける難しい曲ですね。

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind? Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind; Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm, Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm. Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht? - Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht? Den Erlenkönig mit Kron' und Schweif? - Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif. - "Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir! Gar schöne Spiele spiel' ich mit dir; Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand, Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand." - Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht, Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht? - Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind; In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind. - "Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn? Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön; Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn, Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein." - Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort? - Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh' es genau: Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau. - "Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt; Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch' ich Gewalt." - Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an! Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan! - Dem Vater grauset's; er reitet geschwind, Er hält in den Armen das ächzende Kind, Erreicht den Hof mit Mühe und Not; In seinen Armen, das Kind war tot.

前奏　0:00 語り手　0:24 A(1) 0:52 B(1) 1:04 A(2) 1:18 C(1) 1:26 B(2) 1:51 A(3) 2:03 C(2) 2:11 B(3) 2:28 A(4) 2:41 C(3) 2:53 B(4) 3:08 語り手　3:23

I love how he says good night at the end of the video.... I'm not going to sleep after watching this!!! Such a scary song, especially if you know the words! I had chills! Hopefully I will get to sing this song soon!

it's 2020 and it's still one of the best performances i've ever seen...

To those who disliked this, I hope the Earlking comes after you.

I love the change in his expressions, tone, the emotion... He portrays the various character -very- well. I get chills when I hear this particular performance, and I have never heard anyone doing even half as well with this.

he performed as if he was 'living' each and every bar ! specially Erlkonig lines . stunning !

Just learnd by my music teacher about this and now I can't stop listening to it

This great artist is the reason I know about and love leider today. From the first time I heard his voice, I was hooked. I had the great fortune to have seen him on stage four times in Los Angeles, some of the high points of my life. I'm 81 now and listen to him on recordings every day. There will never be another to equal him.

Every single baritone I know has had this piece in their repetoire at some point of their training. Schubert were a baritone and he composed for his own voice.

Once you know what the lyric means, it's gonna fuck up your mind. What a masterpiece.. 🙌👏

DFD is genius. He can do whatever he wants. The ampleur of his expression and textual maitrise is absolutely awsome. He makes a crescendo by darkening his voice, for example. And uses sprechgesang to 'speak' while singing and vice versa. Keeps me being moved emotionally. Danke Sehr Maestro.

I just adore Dieskau's interpretation of this lied. It's amazing how he can express so well each character's emotions, as if he's brought them to life.

Thanks for uploading this wonderful rendition of the Erlkonig. As others have pointed out, it is especially poignant upon the death of Fischer-Dieskau. Unfortunately, the pianist was not mentioned; it appears to be the outstanding accompanist Gerald Moore. While there are many great Baritones and pianists, it was the combined artistry of these two which was miraculous and without peer.

I didn't know Orson Welles was also an accomplished baritone!!! :-D

Man, I've watched this rendition SO many times and can't believe I neglected to give it a Like...until now. For my money, it bests all in regards to facial mannerisms and vocal differentiation between the four roles. Not that there aren't a good many other fine Erlkonig performances on KZfaq. But this one is special.

The way his expression changes when hes the erlkönig has always creeped me out

I LOVE his facial expressions and how the transitions between them are abrupt. He has a beautiful voice :)

I am currently teaching a piano student "The Wild Rider" and am using this song as inspiration for her to depict the piece. Dietrich was the master of German Lieder and his book of translations (almost literal) is a must for any singer or teacher. Thank you for your great talent and the painstaking work you did to bring it to the world Dietrich. R.I.P.

"The child is dead" Pause "Goodnight"

The way he subtly alters the timbre for the different characters! He's really the greatest, and of course Franz's wonderful song written when he was just 18 and proudly published as his opus 1. Bravo Maaestro

中学生の頃にこの動画を音楽の授業で鑑賞したんですけど、先生が「あ、最後見ててね、この歌ってるおじさんの足めっちゃ長いから」って言われて最後まで見て、想像以上に歌ってるおじさんの足が長すぎてクラス全員大爆笑したのはいい思い出です。

When I studied voice, that was one of my Schubert Lieder. After years of singing, this Lied demanded more and more of me and my knowledge. It looks like a simple little song, but, it is not that simple.All along Dietrich-Fischer Diskau was my favorite Singer for that “simple” Lied. Loved that man.

dankest version of the song this world has ever FOCKING SEEN OK

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind? Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind; Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm, Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm. "Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?" - "Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht? Den Erlenkönig mit Kron und Schweif?" - "Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif." "Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir! Gar schöne Spiele spiel' ich mit dir; Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand, Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand." - "Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht, Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?" - "Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind; In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind." - "Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn? Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön; Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn, Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein." - "Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?" - "Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh' es genau: Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau. -" "Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt; Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch' ich Gewalt." - "Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an! Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!" - Dem Vater grauset's, er reitet geschwind, Er hält in Armen das ächzende Kind, Erreicht den Hof mit Müh' und Not; In seinen Armen das Kind war tot.

awesome singer. he even looks creepy as the erlkonig

A true masterpiece! The singer's facial expression adds visual dimension to the interpretation of the work!!!

I always loved the way DFD interpreted the voices for the characters. its really really well done, haven't found a recording done even half as well. Especially this video, his visual reactions with the voices add a whole new depth to it too.

A great singer who is sadly missed on the concert stage!

Who rides, so late, through night and wind? It is the father with his child. He has the boy well in his arm He holds him safely, he keeps him warm. "My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?" "Father, do you not see the Elfking? The Elfking with crown and tail?" "My son, it's a wisp of fog." "You dear child, come, go with me! Very lovely games I'll play with you; Some colourful flowers are on the beach, My mother has some golden robes." "My father, my father, and don't you hear What the Elfking quietly promises me?" "Be calm, stay calm, my child; The wind is rustling through withered leaves." "Do you want to come with me, pretty boy? My daughters shall wait on you finely; My daughters will lead the nightly dance, And rock and dance and sing you to sleep." "My father, my father, and don't you see there The Elfking's daughters in the gloomy place?" "My son, my son, I see it clearly: There shimmer the old willows so grey." "I love you, your beautiful form entices me; And if you're not willing, then I will use force." "My father, my father, he's grabbing me now! The Elfking has done me harm!" It horrifies the father; he swiftly rides on, He holds the moaning child in his arms, Reaches the farm with trouble and hardship; In his arms, the child was dead.

Unsurpassed rendition of Schubert's Erlkoenig. Fischer-Dieskau was perfect in every way. Voice, technique, sentiment and elegance. Bravo Maestro, if there is a God he will enjoy that a voice that came from heaven is back .

HE PRONOUNCED IT LIKE A NATIVE!!

I heard a high school senior perform this wonderful piece and I was enthralled. I just love Schubert.

Thank you for sharing your voice with the world for so many years, and especially for this unrivaled performance of Der Erlkönig. You are truly an incredible artist. R.I.P.

Schubert was such a genuis. I love all the music composed by Schubert.

I love this selection by France Schubert, because when I was in college at Norfolk State College, now University, my good friend Ernest Bess performed this selection at our weekly seminars. His voice teacher at that time was Mrs. Mercer. Oh how awesome he was. I have loved this selection every since then. May Ernest Bess RIP!!!! This was an awesome performance !!

Beautiful, simply magnificent. Schubert was a master of his craft, as is the singer here. Not only does he sing the piece to perfection but he appears to take on the role of each character. One can clearly hear and see the switch between the father, son, erlkonig and the narrater. Wonderful!

The world is less without you, Dietrich. Rest serenely, you are held in our hearts and memories.

本当に尊敬する😭ため息が漏れそうなくらい良い声…。

We don't see the accompanist (or "collaborative artist" as is sometimes said nowadays) until the end, but when we do, we see that it is the incomparable Gerald Moore. It is a shame that most of the focus in these comments is completely on Fischer Dieskau. He is marvellous, but his singing would be nothing without Moore's equally marvellous evocation of the dark and sinister atmosphere of the poem in his magnificent playing. Any students interested in his thoughts on playing this song should try and get hold of a copy of his book "Singer and Accompanist" (probably out of print, but probably obtainable) in which he gives some nice "cheats" for sustaining those punishing right-hand octaves!

I had listened to every Schubert song I love the way he chooses the words and how he uses emotion in everyone of his peices! This one in my favorite!!!

I love how expressive he delivers the lyrics! To me, his face perfectly captures all three characters of the drama (the Father, Son, and Erlkönig); matched by his amazing voice, this gave me chills.

Greatest interpreter of Lieder ever. Love his facial expressions and it's amazing how he conveys the 4 characters with his voice as well. RIP, Mr. Fischer-Dieskau, and thank you for the hours of recordings of your art.

I actually knew this song/poem from my high school German class. I'm glad Sakamoto reminded me about it; it's a beautiful piece.

ﾏｲﾌｧｰｻﾞ!ﾏｲﾌｧｰｻﾞ!

Here because of Arknights 4.5 anniversary PV..they used a variation of this beautiful song for the PV

ピアノが神すぎる件

This is by far the best version of Der Erlkonig.

We just went through this piece in the Solo Literature Seminar in the Masters program yesterday. It is one of the songs that serves as the peak of a classical Bass-Baritone’s lifetime.

The chills are so strong listening to this

Priceless video! Fischer-Dieskau is truly astonishing. He handles all four characters with superb skill, vocal and dramatic. Note the last two words, almost inaudible and deeply affecting. Very expressive eyes, too. Thanks a lot for posting. I'm never tired of watching and listening to this again and again. Anybody has any idea about the year of recording?

My mom played this song for me as a kid, and I asked her to tell me what it was about so she did. I’ve always been ridiculously fascinated with this piece, and I adore this particular performance of it. (I’m from the US)

表情の変化がほんとうまい

This story is just so heartwrenching. Poor child. This singer is amazing at performing the different characters throughout this amazing composition.

Sideways brought me here.

The first time I heard this song was in Music Appreciation in college. I was fascinated by the story and the way Schubert's accompaniment highlighted certain elements, as well as the way the vocalist shifts character by changing the inflection.

A true masterpiece right here. Such beautiful music.

The first time I saw/heard this piece, it was sung by someone else, I cried. The man who sang it the first time I heard it, his facial expressions, voice and diction were outstanding. It was as if you could actually understand exactly what he was saying even though he was singing in German. Outstanding here as well!

by far the best version

Einfach grossartig. GOETHE, SCHUBERT UND FISCHER-DIESKAU ich liebe dieses Gedicht und die Musik.

thx Sakomoto!

气息太稳了！这才是用声音来塑造角色！四个角色以及旁白，眼神和气息完全不同！感觉能看到画面一样太棒了！

Ja, Moore und Dieskau!! Wunderbar!!

I've tried to find other versions that hold a candle to this one but never have. This gives me chills every time I hear it. What a performance!

Fun fact: car prototypes are called Erlkönig in Germany, which is obviuos as they ride through night and wind very fast.

Amazing, both the performance and the song, the latter of which is one of my favourite Schuberts. Very characterful handling of the piano part, and truly beautiful singing and intense expression by Fischer Dieskau, may one of my singing inspirations sing in peace. I also love how he uses his voice, face and eyes to tell the story without resorting to over-exaggerated or stock gestures. As much as I do like Alexander Kipnis' version, Fischer-Dieskau's Erlkonig will always be my top favourite.

A real gem! Thanks for uploading.

An absolutely stunning classic.

that performance was brilliant. it's been said before I'm sure, but his characters couldn't be better played. marvelous use of the face and eyes.

This is a brilliant performance - it is humbling to realize how much you may miss of a great singer's performance if you just listen to a recording. You can see Fischer-Dieskau change characters, before he even utters the lines.

Ich habe dieses Lied immer geliebt. Und niemand kan es singen wie DFD. Diese Stimme hören wir nie merh.

The beginning of the song is haunting. It portrays the sense of dread perfectly to me.

I LOVE this song. And it kills me that no one else in my Music History II class today knew it other than myself

Incredible, just incredible. This makes me so proud to be German. It's one of our most well-known compositions (lyrics & music) and whoa... I just don't know what to say, unbelievable. So glad I found this on youtube!

This song gives me the chills every time I hear it. Haunting piece.

When you watch something like this you understand immediately why Fischer-Dieskau was the most recorded artist of all times.

表情や声など全てに圧倒される、ぞくりとするわ。 そして惚れ惚れする。

A perfect rendition by the greatest singer of German lied. RIP

i was looking for this about 2 years! thnx

Thank you this is my first time seeing a live performance.

Wow! That was a beautiful rendition! Your expressions and emotion that you invested into the piece were captivating! The piano wouldn't let me go for a second either! Great job; I love this piece! =)

今まで聞いた魔王の中で、断トツ素晴らしい！ピアニストも歌手もご存命なのでしょうか？ 魔王が男児を死の世界に導こうと楽しそうに誘惑する、いやらしい表情。 病の中で幻の魔王の誘惑に恐れおののく男児の恐怖。 大事な我が子を守る為に我が子をなだめ説得し早く医者にみせて助けてあげたいという父の焦り。 目立ち過ぎず状況を的確に伝えるナレーション 全てのキャラが立っているのに 調和していて、長い演劇を見たかの様な満足感に浸れました。 ピアノの三連符の馬の足音も最高！ 男児のセリフの時の歌手の目が、他人には見えないものを凝視している男児の目になっていて、リアルに多重人格者のよう。 大袈裟に、わざとらしくなっていないのに、素晴らしい表現力です。 生で聞きたかった！

The best of all! Thank you Dietrich!

Possibly one of the most beautiful pieces. This song by itself draws pictures in your mind.

Rest in peace, mister Fischer-Dieskau.