<P> The four characters in the song--narrator, father, son, and the Erlking--are all sung by a single vocalist . Schubert placed each character largely in a different vocal range, and each has his own rhythmic nuances; in addition, most singers endeavor to use a different vocal coloration for each part . </P> <Ol> <Li> The Narrator lies in the middle range and begins in the minor mode . </Li> <Li> The Father lies in the lower range and sings in both minor and major mode . </Li> <Li> The Son lies in a higher range, also in the minor mode . </Li> <Li> The Erlking's vocal line, in the major mode, provides the only break from the ostinato bass triplets in the accompaniment until the boy's death . </Li> </Ol> <Li> The Narrator lies in the middle range and begins in the minor mode . </Li> <Li> The Father lies in the lower range and sings in both minor and major mode . </Li>

The erlking in schubert's song of that name