Listening Exam Practice 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

The chosen answer, "Erlkönig," is indeed a well-known composition by Franz Schubert. This piece, which translates to "The Erlking," is a lieder, a type of German song for voice and piano, based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Schubert composed it in 1815 and it has gained significant acclaim for its dramatic narrative and expressive music, showcasing his talent for vocal melodies and the use of piano accompaniment to enhance the storytelling aspect.

In contrast, the other options either belong to different composers or genres. For instance, "Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2" is a work by Frédéric Chopin, while "Lied ohne Worte," which translates to "Song Without Words," is a set of piano pieces by Felix Mendelssohn. "Symphony No. 8 in B Minor" is often referred to as Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony," and it is indeed a piece attributed to Schubert. However, "Erlkönig" specifically highlights Schubert's mastery of the art song, making it the correct answer here.