Heidenröslein

F. SchubertD. 257

Key

G

Time

2/4

Tempo

♩=96

AO focus

AO1

Form

Lied — Schubert's setting of Goethe's poem 'Heidenröslein' ('Little Rose on the Heath'). Strophic, three verses, the same gentle G-major melody for each. One of the most-arranged folk-style melodies in the Lieder tradition.

Teaching points

• Strophic form, folk style — 16-bar tune with simple I-V-I harmony. Universal first-Lied for beginning singers
• The text's deceptive sweetness — Goethe's poem is allegorical and dark. Discuss the mismatch between music and meaning
• AO1: ideal first German Lied — manageable range, simple text, tuneful enough to memorise immediately